Industry guide to environmental permitting in Georgia / Environmental Protection Division ; photos by Todd Bethume

N[w INDUSTRY P[RMIllING

The Environmental Protection Division (EPO) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is responsible for issuance of environmental permits in Georgia. EPO has a New Industry Team which works closely with proposed industries to ensure permits are issued properly. The team members are listed below:

Assistant Director Air Protection Hazardous Waste Water Protection ''Vater Resources

David Word Jimmy Johnston jim Ussery ivlikc Creason Nollon Johnson

(404) 656-4713 (404) 363-7020 (404) 657-8626 (404) 362-2680 (404) 656-6328

Almost without exception, prospective industries meet with the New Industry Team to review the industrial project. Some industries have sites selected prior to the meeting, and some do not. At this meeting a determination is made as to which permits arc needed, what the application procedure and schedule is, and if there arc any obstacles to permit issuance. Also, EPD can confirm municipal water and sewer system capacities for proposed locations.

EPD has full delegation for the Federal environmental permits except Section 404 (wetland) permits. New industries are commonly interested in the following permits:

Air emissions Wastewaler, storm water or cooling
water discharges Water supply (surface water or ground-
waler withdrawals) Hazardous waste generation
(and/or identificalion numbers)

Typically, new industries locate in areas served by municipal water and sewer systems and the only permit necessary is an air emissions permit or no permit at all. Local permits, such as building and zolling, arc not isslled by EPD.

New industries arc encouraged to contact the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism at (404) 656-3545, or the EPD New Industry Team to receivc guidancc directly. To schedule a meeting with EPD's New Industry Team, contact David Word at (404) 656-4713.

SUMMARY Of STAn AND FmRAllAWS
STATE LAWS
GA Air Quality nCe.A. Sec. 12-9-1 GA Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Act a.e.G.A. Sec. 12-9-40
GA Waler Quality Control Act a.e.G.A. Sec. 12-5-20 GA Erosion and Sedimentation Act a.e.C.A. Sec. 12-7
GA Safe Drinking Water Act a.CC.A. Sec. 12-5-170
GA Groundwater Use Act o.Ce.A. Sec. 12-5-90
GA WaieT Well Standards Act a.C.G.A. Sec. 12-5-120 GA Safe Dams Act a.CC.A. Sec. 12-5-370 GA Ha7..ardous Waste Management Act a.CCA Sec. 12-8-60
GA Hazardous Site Response Act a.e.C.A. Sec. 12-8-90
GA Oil or Hazardous Material Spills or Releases Act a.CC.A. Sec. 12-14 GA Lead Poisoning Prevention Act a.e.G.A. Sec. 31-41
GA Asbestos Safety Act a.e.C.A. Sec. 12-12-1
GA Underground Storage T:lnk Act a.CC.A. Sec. 12- [} GA Rildiiltion Control Act a.e.G.A. Sec. 31-13 GA Comprehensive Solid Wilste Management Act a.c.G.A. Sec. 12-8-20 GA Surface Mining Act a.e.G.A. Sec. 12-4-70 GA Oil and Gas and Deep Drilling Act a.e.G.A. Sec. 12-4-40
FEDERAL LAWS
Clean Air Act 42 USc. Sec. 7401 et. seq.
Clean Water Act 33 U.S.e. Sec. 1251 et. seq.
Safe Drinking Water Act 42 V.S.c. Sec. 300F et. seq
Rcsource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) U.S.c. Sec. 6901 ct. seq. (Solid Wastc, Hazardous Wastc, Undcrground Storage Tanks)
Comprehensive Environmcntal Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) 42 V.S.c. Scc. 9601 eL scq. (Supcrfund)
Emcrgency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (SARA Title Ill) 42 V.S.e. Scc. 11001 ct. Scq.
Copics of stilte cnvironmcntal st:ltut('S, rcgulations ilnd technical guidance ilrc aVilililblc by cillling EPD's toll frcc number: 1-888-373-5947. Informiltion is illso available on the intcrnet at www.state.ga.usldnr/environ.

P[RMITTING R[OUlR[M[NTS Of FmRAL
AND STm [NYIRDNM[NTAL LAWS
Federal Clean Air Act - GA Air Quality Act: Most businesses require
some form of permit for emissions 10 the air. This includes Title V permitting. Businesses may come under the regulatory purview of these laws if they have any production or process equipment that emit any substances to the atlllosphere. Typical examples of small businesses that might be includHl are printing shops, dry cleaners, paint and body shops, fiberglass finishing shops, marine repair shops, asphalt plants, or any other business that lIses hydrocarbon products. Facilities with boilers, incinerators, paint booths, or similar equipment would likely require a permit. An operation thai cuuses or emits fugitive dust, such as furniture finishing, Sill'.' milling, and rock quarries might be regulated. fPO Conlacl: Jimmy Johnsloll (404) 363-7020.
GA Motor Vehicle InspectiotJ and Maintenance Act: ThiS applies
10 owners of gasoline powered motor vehides in the 13-county metro Atlanta area (Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnell, Henry, Paulding and Rockdale Counties) and requires them to have their vehides inspected for emissions. fPO Colltael: Mar/ill GolIsclw/k (404) 363-7028.
Federal Clean Water Act - GA Water Quality Control Act: Any
business that has a discharge of wastewater to the outside environment would require a permit. Coverage under general permits may also be necessary. Facilities that tie into municipal sewers uSlwlly do not require a permit, but must have local government approval. In some communities, State-imposed moratoriums may prevent new connections to the municipal sewage system. fPO COlltact: Jeff Larson (404) 362-2680.
State Erosion aud SedimetJtatiorl Aet:This law requires a permit for
major land disturbing ilctivitles in order to prevent erosion of land and sedimentation of waterways. Ililany communities are the issuing authority for the required permits, but the State also administers the program in some cities and counties. fPD COIlWel: Larry Hedges (404) 675-6240.

GA and Federal Safe Dri,.king Water Acts: Any facility that serves
drinking water 10 the public may require a permit. Generall}', a permit is required for IT system serving 25 or more persons. EPD COl/tact: No/toil Johl/50n (404) 656-6328.
Ga Groundwater Use Act - GA Water Quality Control Act:
Anyone withdrnwing more 100,000 gallons per day of surface or groundwater is required to obtain a permit. If a facility connects to a public water supply system, a permit from the State would not be required. EPD Corltael: Noltoll Jol/11sotl (404) 656-6328.
GA Water Well Stmrdards Act: Anyone operating a water well drilling
business must have a state license and meet ceria in requirements. EPD COlltact: Bill McLemore (404) 656-3214.
GA Safe Dams Act: Anyone proposing to build or who owns a dam under
the definition of the Act may be required 10 have a permit to operate and mainlain Ihe Slructure. EPD Comaet: Ed Fiegfe (404) 362-2678.
Federal Resource Conservation aud Recovery Act - GA Hazardous Waste Matlagement Act: Any operation that proposes to generate, transport,
store, treat and/or dispose of hazardous wasles must obtain an EPA identificalion number. Many businesses who generate by-products of their operations may quality as generators and may require an identification number. Any operation that stores (greater than 90 days), treats and/or disposes of ha1..1rdous waste musl obtain a permi!. Operations Ihat generate, transport, process or burn used oil arc subject to certain storage and notification requirements. fPD COl/t"ct: fim Ussery (404) 656-2833.
GA Hazardous Site Response Act: This law establishes fees on hazardous
waste generated in Georgia. hazardous waste imported in Georgia and solid waste disposed of into Georgia landfills. The fees, which are deposited imo the Hazardous Waste Trust Fund, arc used to finance clean-ups of ha1..1Tdous waste sites. fPD Cotltact: TIm CaS" (404) 657-8600.
Federal Comprehensive E"vironmental Response, Compensation mId Liability Acl (CERCLA): This provides for clean-up activities
at certain haz'lrdous waste sites. No licenses or permits are required but comp.mies having hazardous waste sites may have an interest in this program. EPD Colltact: Jim Ussery (404) 656-2833.
Emergency Plmming aud Community Right-to-Know Act (SARA Title Ill): This Federal Act requires that businesses report cerlain chemicals
that they usc or store. EPD Colltnet: Bert Lmgley (404) 656-6905.

GA Oil or Hazardous Material Spills or Releases Act: This law
specifies reporting requirements for all reportable spills. For information on spill reporting or clean-up, col/lact tile EPD Emergelley Respollse Program at (404) 656-6905.
GA Lead Poisoning Prevention Act: This Act requires the certification of
professionals removing lead paint. EPDCOlltact: 0011 McCarty (404)363-7026.
GA Asbestos Safety Act: Any business involved in the removal of asbcstos-
containing materials must have a license. EPD COl/tact: 0011 McCarty (404) 363-7026.
GA Radiation Control Act: This law regulates certain radioactive materials.
Businesses that use radioactive equipment, supplies, etc., should contact the Division. EPO Contact: Tom Hill (404) 362-2675.
GA Underground Storage Tank Act: Anyone operating a facility which
stores petroleum products or certain chemicals underground must meet certain requirements. EPD COl/tact: Ralldy Willial/ls (404) 362-2687.
GA Comprelletlsive Solid Waste Management Act: This law requires
a permit for solid waste collection, transfer or disposal operations. A permit is not required for a business who contracts to have its waste hauled off-site for disposal. EPD Contact: Jim Dill/bar (404) 362-2692.
GA SurFlce Mining Act: A surface mining operation must have a permit
and a land reclamation plan. EPD COil/act: lim DIll/bar (404) 362-2692.
State Oil turd Gas and Deep Drilling Act: Anyone drilling an oil or gas
well must have a permit. EPD Comact: Bill McLemore (404) 656-3214.

fEES
Georgia has no permit application fees. However, emission or waste generation fees for the follo\\'ing industrial categories rna}' be applicable:
Air EmissiotJs - Major sources as prescribed by federal law EPD Comact: Jimmy Jo/ltlstoll (404) 363-7010
HawrtlOllS Waste Gelleration - Yearly fees based on quantity and fille ofhaz..1rdous waste. Some exemptions apply. EPD COl/llIet: Smufm Biol/Ilt (404) 657-8600
PERMIT ApPliCATION PROC[SSING IIM[
The meeting with EPD and a new industry greatly facilitates the issuance of permits. EPD typically issues permits within 120 days of receiving a complete application. This time includes public notice and comment periods. EPD takes the responsibility of issuing these notices. Some industries may require Prevention of Significant Deterioralion (PSD) or major permits under the Clean Air Acl. These permits take a significantly longer time (as a result of federal procedures) to issue.
SMALl HUSIN[SS ASSISTANC[
The Small Business 'Icchnical Assistance Program is a non-regulatory office within EIlD that provides frcc assistance to small businesses on environmental issues. The program can answer questions on compliance requirements. help determine if a permil is needed, provide information on methods of pollution prevention and alternate technologies. or provide confidential assistance on compliance problems. An Ombudsman is also available to serve as the small business advocate in administrati\'eactions. For further information about this program, contact Allita DorscJ'- Word 1-877-417-62SS(Tolf free).
lOll fR[[ INfORMATION
Copies of state environmental statutes, regulations and technical guidance arc available by calling EPD's toll free number: 1-888-373-5947. Information is also available on the internet at www.slate.ga.us/dnr/environ
PlIO/oJ"" TIN'" &11I1"n..