<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01-2" citation="COMAR 26.08.04.01-2" title_num="26" subtitle_num="08" chapter_num="04" heading="Discharge Permit Application Processing.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Informational Meetings.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Upon written request by a person within 10 working days of the publication of a notice of application for a discharge permit, the Department shall hold an informational meeting to discuss the application.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Department also may hold an informational meeting or meetings at the Department's discretion.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The informational meeting may be cancelled if all persons who made timely written requests withdraw their requests before the meeting.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The Department may require the applicant to attend all informational meetings and present information concerning the application.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>If an informational meeting is required, the Department shall publish or require the applicant to publish notice of the informational meeting, unless the notice of application contained a notice of the informational meeting. This notice shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Conform to the requirements of Regulation .01-1E of this chapter; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Contain:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The information required under Regulation .01D of this chapter,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The date, time, and location of the informational meeting, and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Other information the Department determines to be necessary for adequate public notice.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>When the notice of the informational meeting also contains a notice of public hearing, the first notice of public hearing shall be given at least 30 days before the hearing.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Tentative Determination.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Preparation of Tentative Determination and Fact Sheet.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>After the Department receives the discharge permit application, the Department shall prepare a tentative determination, which shall include:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The name of the applicant;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>A proposal to issue or not issue the permit;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>The type, volume, and location of the proposed discharge;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Proposed permit limitations and conditions;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>A brief explanation of the Department's tentative decision;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vi)">
          <text>If applicable, a proposed schedule of compliance;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vii)">
          <text>A brief summary, if appropriate, concerning the development of a site-specific criterion, use of a biological or chemical translator for derivation of permit limits, or a temporary permit modification; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(viii)">
          <text>Other information the Department considers necessary.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>When the tentative determination is to issue a discharge permit, the tentative determination shall include a draft permit, which shall be available to the public for inspection and copying.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The Department shall prepare a fact sheet as required by the Federal Act for all proposed permits for major facilities.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Publication of Notice of Tentative Determination.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The Department shall publish or require the applicant to publish the notice of tentative determination according to Regulation .01-1E of this chapter.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The notice of tentative determination shall include:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The information in §B(1)(a) of this regulation;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The procedures for a person to review and copy the tentative determination, draft permit, or related material;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>A statement allowing 30 days for public comment to the notice of tentative determination before the issuance of the final determination and the procedures for offering public comment;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>A statement that the Department shall hold a public hearing when a written request for a public hearing is made within 20 days of the publication of the notice of tentative determination and the procedure for making a written request for a public hearing; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Other information the Department considers necessary to ensure adequate public notice.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>When the notice of tentative determination also includes a notice of public hearing, the first notice of public hearing shall be given at least 30 days before the hearing.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Mailing List for the Notice of Tentative Determination and Fact Sheet.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The notice of tentative determination shall be mailed to any other state whose waters may be affected by the issuance of a permit, so that the affected state may submit written comments to the Department and to the EPA.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The notice of tentative determination and, if prepared, a fact sheet, shall be mailed, unless waived, to the appropriate district engineer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Marine Fisheries Service.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Upon written request by a person, the Department shall add the name of that person to a mailing list to receive a copy of the notice of tentative determination and fact sheet, if prepared, for a specific NPDES permit application.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Obligation of Discharger to Notify Department. A person who desires to apply for a site-specific criterion, biological translator, or chemical translator shall notify the Department before the later of the end of the comment period established:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>In the notice of tentative determination; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>For the public hearing.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Public Hearing.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The Department shall schedule a public hearing on the tentative determination when a written request for a public hearing is made within 20 calendar days of the publication of the notice of tentative determination.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The Department may schedule a public hearing on a State discharge or NPDES permit at the Department's discretion.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The public hearing may be cancelled if all persons who made timely written requests withdraw the requests before the hearing.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The applicant, if requested by the Department, shall provide information concerning the application.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>If the Department requires the applicant to attend the public hearing, failure of the applicant to attend the hearing and present information may result in the Department not issuing the permit.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>A person shall be given an opportunity to present information at the public hearing concerning the tentative determination.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>The Department shall accept written comments for 5 calendar days after the date of the public hearing.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(h)">
        <text>The applicant shall be responsible for the cost of preparing and obtaining a transcript of public hearings.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Notice of Public Hearing.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>If a public hearing is scheduled, a notice of the hearing shall be published according to Regulation .01-1E of this chapter. The first notice shall give a minimum of 30 days notice before the hearing.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The notice of public hearing shall include:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The name of the applicant;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The type of discharge permit to be discussed at the public hearing, including the volume of the proposed discharge;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>The location of the proposed discharge;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>A brief description of the proposed permit conditions and limitations, proposed schedule of compliance, and any proposed special conditions including procedures for obtaining access to or copies of the tentative determination;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Information concerning the date, time, and location of the public hearing; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vi)">
          <text>Other information the Department determines to be necessary for adequate public notification.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The Department shall provide the applicant with a copy of the notice of public hearing.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>