Water Permits Division
PO Box 4313
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4313
Phone: (225) 219-9371
Fax: (225) 219-3309
Scott Guilliams, Administrator
The Water Permits Division within the Office of Environmental Services authorizes permits administered under the Water Quality Regulations. In addition, the Water Permits Division facilitates Biosolids Management. LDEQ Responsibilities for Water Quality Certifications are conducted in conjunction with the US Army Corps of Engineers. The division is also responsible for surface water quality standards, assessment and data management, as well as the development of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for impaired water bodies. For a more detailed description of Division activities, please click here.
More information on each of these functions can be found at the following links:
Water Permits Division Work Plan
OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT, & PRODUCTION FACILITIES WITHIN TERRITORIAL SEAS
The LDEQ will conduct a stakeholder meeting on February 23, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. at LDEQ headquarters, Galvez Building, Room 1051, 602 N. 5th St. Baton Rouge, LA 70802 to accept input from all stakeholders regarding the protocols and requirements for an evaluation of the effects of produced water discharges on the environment and human health. Click here for the proposed study requirements.
The LDEQ, Office of Environmental Services is accepting comments on the produced water study minimum requirements for discharges of produced water into territorial seas. Comments can be submitted via personal delivery, U.S. Mail, email or fax. Comments are due by 4:30 PM on March 23, 2012. Delivery may be made to the drop-box at 602 North 5th Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. U.S. Mail may be sent to the LDEQ, Water Permits Division, Attn: Jenniffer Sheppard, P.O. Box 4313, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4313. Emails may be submitted to Jenniffer.sheppard@la.gov and faxes may be sent to 225-219-3309.
Territorial Seas and Produced Water Discharges Presentation for stakeholder meeting held on February 23, 2012
Method Update Rule
The EPA has updated its “Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for the Analysis of Pollutants Under the Clean Water Act; Analysis and Sampling Procedures”, also known as the “Method Update Rule”. The new rule was published on May 18, 2012 and will take effect on June 18, 2012. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality will implement the Method Update Rule as follows:
1. Accredited and in-house laboratories submitting data to the Department are expected to take steps to meet the requirements of the Rule; in the case of accredited laboratories, applications to amend the scope of accreditation must be submitted and quality system documents must be revised as needed so that the laboratories will be compliant within a year or by the time of their next biennial assessment (whichever comes first), and
2. The Department will accept data based on the previous Method Update Rule (2007) up to but not beyond a two year period ending June 18, 2014.
For a copy of the rule, please access this link: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-05-18/html/2012-10210.htm
All laboratories or other individuals with questions or seeking accreditation may contact Paul Bergeron, Supervisor, LDEQ Laboratory Accreditation Program at 225-219-3247 or paul.bergeron@la.gov.
For a summary of the Method Update Rule click here.
PESTICIDES GENERAL PERMIT INFORMATION:
The Final LPDES Pesticides General Permit was issued on October 31, 2011 with an effective date of October 31, 2011.
The LDEQ Pesticides General Permit is not for facilities already covered by a current LPDES Permit. Discharges and usage of pesticides by these facilities must be consistent with the issued and applicable LPDES permits, or Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) requirements, located on the container and applicable Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Regulation governing pesticide usage. For more information please click the link: http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/home.cfm?program_id=410 or http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/pesticides/aquaticpesticides.cfm.
To provide background, on March 28, 2011, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit granted EPA's request for an extension of the deadline for when permits will be required for pesticide discharges into U.S. waters from April 9, 2011 to October 31, 2011. The extension is to allow sufficient time for states and national agencies to complete coordination and consultation, to provide some opportunities for outreach and completion of state permit development and relevant requirements. During the period of extension all discharges that are a result of pesticide applications affected by the Court's decision, whether they are to be covered under an NPDES permit issued by EPA or by an NPDES-authorized state would not need NPDES coverage until the stay expires.
Questions may be directed to Mr. Bruce Fielding at (225) 219-3231.
Pesticides General Permit Pamphlet
Pesticides General Permit Frequently Asked Questions
Pesticides General Permit Presentation
Memorandum of Agreement between LDEQ and LDAF for the administration of the LPDES Pesticide General Permit
Final LPDES Pesticides General Permit
Pesticides General Permit Fact Sheet
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