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~~ ~•. <br />(without advance notice from WQCD) and are now inconsistent with <br />the requirements of 40 CFR Part 434. We are also concerned that <br />these permit modifications were implemented by the WQCD, with no <br />input from industry and, as far as we can tell, with no involvement <br />or input from DMG. As such, with no apparent justification, these <br />new CDPS requirements are more onerous than the federal counterpart <br />requirements. <br />The specific effluent requirements of concern are summarized <br />by the following: <br />40 CFR Part 434 <br />40 CFR Part 434.63(a)(2) provides some relief from effluent <br />limitations (called Alternate Limitations) during precipitation <br />events (or snowmelt) less than or equal to the 10-year, 24-hour <br />event. In particular, the operator may meet the alternative <br />"settleable solids" standard rather than the TSS standards. 40 CFR <br />Part 434.63(d)(2) provides even further relief from effluent <br />standards during precipitation events greater than the 10-year, 24- <br />hour event. During this larger event, the operator is required to <br />meet only a pH and oil and grease standard. <br />Colowyo believes these standards are reasonable and reflect a <br />balance between the control technology that is practical in terms <br />of reasonable pond management of large in-flow volumes versus the <br />conditions likely to be anticipated naturally in the receiving <br />streams during or after such large precipitation events. <br />CDPS Permit <br />During the past 10+ years all of Colowyo's CDPS permits and <br />renewals had discharge standards that were essentially the same as <br />those found in 40 CFR Part 434, including the Alternate Limitations <br />noted above. Recently, our permit (COG-850000) was renewed <br />(effective date July 1, 1992) and later found to include language <br />that placed severe limitations to the alternate limitations for <br />large precipitation events provided for by the federal regulations. <br />The most disconcerting are the additional permit statements <br />found in Part I.B,l.d. that are not found in the federal rule. <br />This section deals with the burden of proof requirements when <br />requesting relief from TSS, total iron and/or settleable solids <br />limitations due to precipitation events or snowmelt. This section <br />states that "Relief shall be granted only when necessary and shall <br />not be granted when the permittee has control over the discharge" <br />and further that "All manual dewatering must meet TSS and total <br />iron limitations." In effect, this new permit language has <br />essentially removed the option of Alternate Limitations from any <br />Permittee who utilizes manually operated headgates on sediment <br />ponds. <br />