Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 45, November 9, 2024
Section 287.642 - Determination of applicability(a) This section sets forth standards and procedures that are applicable to general permits which require persons or municipalities to apply for and obtain a determination of applicability from the Department prior to conducting the activity authorized by the general permit. The requirements in this section are in addition to the applicable requirements of § 287.641 (relating to inclusion in a general permit).(b) An application for a determination of applicability shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee in the form of a check payable to the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" for $500.(c) The Department will provide notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin of each application for a determination of applicability for a general permit which the Department has determined to be administratively complete. For applications for determinations of applicability for a general permit for construction materials, the notice shall indicate that interested persons or municipalities may submit comments to the Department within 60 days recommending revisions to, and approval or disapproval of the application, unless the 60-day notice requirement is waived by the Department. The Department may hold a public meeting or public hearing on an application for determination of applicability for a general permit for construction materials.(d) The Department will make a determination that a general permit is or is not applicable to an activity for which an application for determination of applicability is filed under § 287.641 within 60 days from the publication of the notice under subsection (c) or for construction materials when a 60-day comment period is provided, within 120 days after publication of the notice under subsection (c). The time period does not include periods beginning with the date that the Department in writing has requested the applicant to make substantive corrections or changes to the application and ending with the date that the applicant submits corrections or changes to the Department's satisfaction. Failure by the Department to comply with this timetable will not be construed or understood to constitute grounds for a determination that the general permit applies to the proposed activity.(e) The Department will determine that the general permit does not apply to the proposed beneficial use or processing activity and will deny coverage under the general permit if the applicant fails to demonstrate to the Department's satisfaction that the proposed activity is consistent with the terms and conditions of the general permit, and does not have the potential to harm or present a threat of harm to the health, safety or welfare of the people or environment of this Commonwealth.(f) The Department will provide written notice of its determination that a general permit is or is not applicable to an activity for which a determination of applicability is required to the host municipality and the appropriate county, county planning agency and county health department, if one exists, for the applicant's proposed primary or first beneficial use or processing operation under the general permit and will publish notice of its decision in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.(g) The Department may amend, suspend or revoke coverage under a general permit if a person or municipality authorized to conduct solid waste activities under a general permit is not in compliance with the permit conditions or for one or more of the reasons in subsection (e).The provisions of this §287.642 amended January 24, 1997, effective 1/25/1997, 27 Pa.B. 521. This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 287.421 (relating to administrative inspections); 25 Pa. Code § 287.601 (relating to scope); 25 Pa. Code § 287.611 (relating to authorization for general permit); 25 Pa. Code § 287.612 (relating to nature of a general permit; substitution for individual applications and permits); 25 Pa. Code § 287.622 (relating to completeness review); 25 Pa. Code § 287.624 (relating to approval or denial of an application); and 25 Pa. Code § 297.1 (relating to scope).