DES MOINES—The DNR will hold a public hearing on renewing a general permit for people who apply pesticides to Iowa waters April 5 in Des Moines.
The public hearing will begin at 10 a.m. in the fourth floor conference rooms of the Wallace State Office Building, 502 E. Ninth St. in Des Moines.
The DNR has initiated rulemaking to renew the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) wastewater permit known as General Permit Number 7 (GP7). Due to a federal court decision, anyone who sprays or applies pesticides to road ditches, streambanks, lakes or other areas where pesticide residues can end up in a waterbody, have needed to meet the requirements of GP7 since March 30, 2011.
As part of the renewal, the DNR is proposing to remove Notice of Intent requirements to simplify the permit and reduce regulatory burdens. The DNR will present the proposed changes and take comments orally or in writing at the public hearing.
More information can be found on the DNR’s website at: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water-Quality/NPDES-Wastewater-Permitting/NPDES-Rules
People may also file written comments on the proposed rulemaking on or before midnight on April 12, 2016. Comments will also be taken during the stakeholder meeting. Written comments or questions regarding the proposed rulemaking should be directed to Wendy Hieb, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, NPDES Section, 502 E. Ninth St., Des Moines, Iowa 50309-0034; via fax at 515-725-8202; or via email at wendy.hieb@dnr.iowa.gov.