2009 Hydroelectric Generating Facilities General Permit (HYDROGP) for Massachusetts & New Hampshire

The Notice of Availability of the Final NPDES General Permits (HYDROGP) for Discharges at Hydroelectric Generating Facilities in Massachusetts (MAG360000) and New Hampshire (NHG360000) and Tribal Lands in the State of Massachusetts was published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2009 (see 74 Fed. Reg. No. 233, pages 64074 - 64075). The HYDROGPs establish notice of intent requirements, effluent limitations, standards, prohibitions, and best management practices plans. These general permits are effective on December 7, 2009 and will expire five years from this date.

Coverage under the HYDROGPs is available to hydroelectric generating facilities in Massachusetts (both Massachusetts and Tribal Lands) and New Hampshire which discharge equipment cooling water, equipment and floor drain water, equipment backwash water, certain maintenance related waters, and combinations of the preceding discharges. The eligibility requirements are provided in the general permits. Owners and/or operators of hydroelectric generating facilities with these discharges, including those facilities currently authorized to discharge under individual NPDES permits, are eligible to apply for coverage using the notice of intent (NOI) information provided in the permits. A suggested NOI form with instructions is provided in Attachment I of the General Permits. Following submission of the required information to EPA and the appropriate State, EPA and the State will review the NOI and the facility will receive written notification from EPA stating whether permit coverage and authorization to discharge under one of the general permits is approved.

NOIs may be sent via USPS, email, or fax to EPA at EPA-Region 1, Hydroelectric GP Processing, Municipal Assistance Unit (OEP06-3), 5 Post Office Square - Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109-3912; email address Hydro.GeneralPermit@epa.gov; or fax number (617) 918-0898. Notification information also shall be submitted to the appropriate State agency at the addresses listed in Part I.H of the General Permits

• Federal Register Notice
• Final Hydroelectric Generating Facilities General Permits (pdf) (126 K)
• Part I.K Response to Comments (pdf) (291 K)
• Part II. Standard Conditions (pdf) (142 K)
• Part III. Best Management Practices Plan (pdf) (29 K)
• Attachment I. Notice of Intent, Suggested Form and Instructions (pdf) (52 K)

Helpful Information

• Fact Sheet (pdf) (62 K)
• DMR Form (pdf) (192 K)

EPA Contacts

Technical Contacts
George Papadopoulos (papadopoulos.george@epa.gov), 617-918-1579; Alternate: Elise Scholl (scholl.elise@epa.gov), 617-918-1675

Administrative Contacts
Marian Spahn (spahn.marian@epa.gov), 617-918-1732; Alternate: Glenda Velez (velez.glenda@epa.gov), 617-918-1677

State Contacts

MassDEP
Jennifer Wood (Jennifer.Wood@state.ma.us)

NH DES
Hayley Franz (Hayley.Franz@des.nh.gov), 603-271-0671

Notices of Intent

Notices of Intent (NOI) will be posted on this page after EPA receipt for a minimum of 30 days for facilities in Massachusetts that discharge to the Merrimack or Connecticut Rivers and for a minimum of 7 days for all other facilities. Please contact Marian Spahn (alternate: Glenda Velez) if you have any questions regarding NOIs. See the table below for a chronological listing of NOIs. Older NOIs are listed in the Hydro NOI archive.