The Wise Report

The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
April 27, 2008
 
The annual update of the TRRP Tier 1 PCL tables is now available on the TRRP PCLs web page at http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/remediation/trrp/trrppcls.html
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Damon Waresback, with Eagle Construction & Environmental Services, L.P. sent me notification from the TCEQ that a drinking water survey report (DWSR, also known as a HB3030 investigation) is to be included with the initial site investigation report that documents groundwater contamination.  In the past, this report wasn't required until after groundwater contamination was confirmed.  Now, you'll need to perform it if you have to install a groundwater monitoring well, regardless of whether or not groundwater contamination is confirmed.  This is the result of the 30-day notification requirement of HB3030.  The TCEQ is required to notify all water well owners within 0.25 days of confirmation of groundwater contamination (date of lab report, not notification to the TCEQ).  They are trying to speed up the notification process by having the information available to them much earlier.  You will need to get the DWSR into the TCEQ ASAP so they can fulfill the 30-day requirement.  you can find the requirements for the DWSR in GR-428, "Preparation of a Drinking Water Survey Report." at:  http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/remediation/twc26_408.html .
 
In addition, as part of the water well search, the TCEQ is requiring that you contact the local groundwater conservation district (GCD), to request information on private drinking water wells within the search area.  You can determine if you are in a GCD at: http://www.tceq.state.ts.us/permitting/water_supply/groundwater/districts.html .  Include the GCD contact name, phone number, and date contacted in the DWSR.  Incorporate the information provided by the GCD with information from other sources, such as physical location of the well (latitude/longitude), names and addresses of well owners, names and addresses of users (e.g., tenants, if any) if different from the owner, and well construction details.  If contacting the GCD does not identify any private drinking water wells, or if there is no GCD within the search area, state thi information in the DWSR.

Questions or additional information, contact the TCEQ remediation Division at 512-239-2200.

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The TCEQ is proposing to allow applicants a method of requesting a substantive change to a permitted municipal solid waste (MSW) facility through submittal of only those portions of a permit affected by the proposed change. The rule also would add signage requirements for new MSW permits and major amendments and it would increase the distance that mailed notice is provided from the current 500 feet to ¼ mile for certain actions relating to MSW permits and registrations. Public notice would be required for some modifications which currently do not require notice, and it would require a major amendment for some permit actions currently processed as a modification with public notice. Other changes in the rule are to definitively state that an MSW Temporary Authorization may apply to either major or minor changes to a permit or registration and to specify that the means of transferring an MSW permit or registration is a permit or registration modification with public notice.  For more information go to:  http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/assets/public/legal/rules/rule_lib/adoptions/07001305_aex.pdf

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The TCEQ proposes rule making that will implement House Bill (HB) 3554 and HB 1956, 80th Legislature, 2007, Regular Session. At the request of the TCEQ, the preamble of this rule proposal also specifically requests comments on the question of whether Leaking Petroleum Storage Tank (LPST) sites should be removed from the Texas Risk Reduction Program (TRRP) requirements in 30 TAC Chapter 350.

This proposal incorporates into rule, statutory changes effective September 1, 2007, which extend the PST reimbursement program (and related deadlines) for eligible LPST sites; the need to eliminate non-compliance with financial assurance requirements for USTs on the part of UST facility owners and operators; the need to comply with the secondary containment requirements of federal law; and the need to improve certain technical standards for UST systems related to federal requirements.

For more information go to: 

http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/assets/public/legal/rules/rule_lib/proposals/07037334_pex.pdf

 

The Wise Report

Henry M. Wise, P.G.

4/27/2008