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Report File
Date Issued
Submitting OIG
Environmental Protection Agency OIG
Other Participating OIGs
Environmental Protection Agency OIG
Agencies Reviewed/Investigated
Environmental Protection Agency
Report Number
21-P-0122
Report Description

Improved EPA oversight could ensure that state NPDES programs are protecting human health and the environment.

Report Type
Audit
Location

MN
United States

WV
United States

Number of Recommendations
5
Questioned Costs
$0
Funds for Better Use
$0
Additional Details
https://www.epa.gov/office-inspector-general/report-improved-review-processes-c…

Open Recommendations

This report has 4 open recommendations.
Recommendation Number Significant Recommendation Recommended Questioned Costs Recommended Funds for Better Use Additional Details
21-P-0122_1 No $0 $0

Review the modified National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System mining permits issued by West Virginia based on the 2019 revisions to its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program to ensure that no backsliding has occurred, including for discharges of ionic pollution, in accordance with EPA Region 3’s approval letter dated March 27, 2019. If a permit does not contain record documentation for the reasonable potential analysis or otherwise allows backsliding, alert West Virginia of the permit inadequacies.

21-P-0122_2 No $0 $0

Review the modified National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System mining permits issued by West Virginia based on the 2019 revisions to its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program to determine whether the permits contain effluent limits for ionic pollution and other pollutants that are or may be discharged at a level that causes, has the reasonable potential to cause, or contributes to an excursion above any applicable water quality standard, as required by Clean Water Act regulations. If a permit lacks required effluent limits, take appropriate action to address such deficiencies.

21-P-0122_3 No $0 $0

Develop a formal internal operating procedure to facilitate timely permitreviews and transmission of EPA comments to states.

21-P-0122_4 No $0 $0

Review and provide written input on any National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit prepared for reissuance by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for the PolyMet Mining Inc. NorthMet project, if applicable, as appropriate pursuant to the requirements of the Clean Water Act, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System regulations, the Region 5 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit review standard operating procedure, and the memorandum of agreement between EPA Region 5 and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Environmental Protection Agency OIG

United States