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Indiana Regional Sewer District Association Annual Meeting

Indiana Regional Sewer District Association Annual Meeting. October 25, 2010 Ritz Charles Carmel, Indiana. Thomas W. Easterly, P.E., BCEE, QEP Commissioner Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Agenda. IDEM Mission Status Report Regional Sewer District Survey

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Indiana Regional Sewer District Association Annual Meeting

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  1. Indiana Regional Sewer District Association Annual Meeting October 25, 2010 Ritz Charles Carmel, Indiana Thomas W. Easterly, P.E., BCEE, QEP Commissioner Indiana Department of Environmental Management

  2. Agenda IDEM Mission Status Report Regional Sewer District Survey How IDEM Can Help RSDs Common RSD Issues IDEM Metrics Potential Regulatory Issues Petition for Withdrawal of NPDES Program Antidegradation Nutrients

  3. IDEM’s Mission We Protect Hoosiers and Our Environment IDEM’s mission is to implement federal and state regulations to protect human health and the environment while allowing the environmentally sound operations of industrial, agricultural, commercial and government activities vital to a prosperous economy.

  4. How Does IDEM Protect Hoosiers and Our Environment? • Develop regulations and issue permits to restrict discharges to the environment to safe levels. • Inspect and monitor permitted facilities to ensure compliance with the permits. 4

  5. How Does IDEM Protect Hoosiers and Our Environment? • Use compliance assistance and/or enforcement when people exceed their permit levels or violate regulations. • Educate people on their environmental responsibilities. 5

  6. Status Report: RSD Formations/Modifications Petitions to Form A District Under Review: Freelandville. Public hearing November 9. Modifications Under Review: None at this time. Regional District Plans are being reviewed for completeness. Letters will be sent.

  7. Status Report: New RSD Map Available at IDEM Website: http://www.idem.IN.gov Also at Indiana Regional Sewer District Association Website: http://www.irsda.org

  8. Regional Sewer District Survey Survey to all RSDs to obtain updated information regarding board members, contact information, and other data. Two-thirds of RSDs have responded. Thank you for taking the time to respond. We are still accepting survey responses. If you haven’t already, please respond soon.

  9. How IDEM Can Help RSDs • Technical Assistance • David Denman and Kevin Green provide assistance to communities experiencing problems. • Forming Districts • Lynne Newlon helps communities understand how districts are formed and operate. • Financial Assistance • IDEM works with IFA to help communities receive financing. 9

  10. Common RSD Issues • Concerns about a few RSDs continue to be raised. • IDEM has no jurisdiction, but sometimes receives calls about: • Sewer fees, connection expenses and liens • District territory expansion • District forcing connection • District won’t allow connection • Behavior of District board members

  11. Common RSD Issues Most of the conflicts are raised by a few Districts. Conflicts are the results of local decisions. Those few Districts consume State resources. IDEM is not interested in becoming the arbiter of local disputes. 11

  12. Performance Metrics Oct 2010

  13. Performance Metrics June 2005

  14. Potential Regulatory Issues • Environmental Group Petition for Withdrawal of Approval of the NPDES Program. • Antidegradation • General Permits • Coal Permits

  15. Potential Regulatory Issues Antidegradation Rule • Federal Requirement that allows new or increased point source discharges to waters under specific circumstances. • Indiana law defines how we make the allowances and rules address the implementation of the law. • The current rule applies only to the Great Lakes Basin.

  16. Potential Regulatory Issues Antidegradation (Cont.) • The proposed rule will apply state-wide and: • Increases public opportunities for input, • Protects swimmable/fishable uses of waters, • Allows for the issuance of legal permits for discharges to waters, and • Does not allow for the violation of water quality standards.

  17. Potential Regulatory Issues Antidegradation (Cont.) • Process: • Rule was Public Noticed. IDEM received many comments. • IDEM reviewed the comments and is making changes to the rule. • IDEM drafting responses to comments. • Draft rule will be presented to Water Pollution Control Board for preliminary adoption. • Third Notice likely.

  18. Nutrient Rulemaking Criteria for three categories of lakes: Natural lakes Reservoirs Mine pits Rule first noticed in Indiana Register on June 30, 2010. Potential Regulatory Issues

  19. Nutrient Rulemaking (Continued) Comment period ended July 30, 2010. Preparation of technical document for U.S. EPA explaining scientific basis for criteria development. Workgroup will be formed to discuss and formulate specific rule language. Potential Regulatory Issues

  20. Thank You Thomas W. Easterly Commissioner Indiana Department of Environmental Management 317-232-8611 teasterly@idem.IN.gov

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