H.R. 3897: Confidence in Clean Water Permits Act

This bill, titled the Confidence in Clean Water Permits Act, aims to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act in several key areas, particularly concerning permits that regulate water pollution. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill proposes:

Compliance with Permits

The bill makes adjustments to the compliance requirements under Section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Specifically, it clarifies that:

• Compliance with a permit covers any pollutant that is explicitly limited within the permit.
• Compliance also extends to pollutants that are not limited but are:
  • Identified through monitoring parameters included in the permit documentation.
  • Specifically acknowledged during the application process as being present in the discharges that the permit governs.
  • Present in other waste streams or processes associated with the permit, even if not explicitly noted in the permit itself.

Technical Corrections

Technical amendments are proposed to correct references and clarify terms within the existing Federal Water Pollution Control Act. These adjustments do not change the substance of the law but aim to improve clarity and accuracy in language.

Expression of Water Quality-Based Effluent Limitations

Another significant change proposed in the bill involves how water quality-based limitations on pollutants should be expressed in permits. The bill allows for the inclusion of these limitations if determined necessary by the permit-issuing authority, outlining specific requirements:

• Any water quality-based limitation must clearly state which pollutant it applies to.
• The limitation must specify how compliance can be achieved, including:
  • Setting a numerical limit on the pollutant’s discharge.
  • Providing a narrative description of required actions or practices to meet the limitation.

Overall Goals of the Bill

The overall intent of the Confidence in Clean Water Permits Act is to enhance the clarity and effectiveness of water pollution permits, ensuring better compliance with pollution controls and improved water quality. By defining the scope of compliance more explicitly and allowing for clearer expressions of limitations, the bill seeks to promote better environmental protections through the federal permitting process.

Relevant Companies

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