Summary of TRI Surface Water Releases To Great Lakes In 2011

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s annual Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) report releases of EPCRA Section 313 reportable chemicals into surface waters in the Great Lakes Basin increased by 12 % from 2010 to 2011. Nitrates and pesticides from municipal wastewater treatment plants and agriculture account for most of the releases from surface water discharges to the Great Lakes Basin. Nitrates were also discharged by primary metals facilities, such as iron and steel mills and smelters, and food and beverage manufacturers.

For the summary, the Great Lakes Basin consists of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario; a number of other smaller lakes and waterways; and the surrounding watershed. The watershed covers parts of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and parts of Ontario in Canada. Despite increases from 2010 to 2011, overall Section 313 releases in the Great Lakes Basin have decreased about 40 % since 2003 and are currently at the second-lowest level in a decade. Surface water, air and land releases in the basin increased by 12, 1 and 4 % respectively, while underground injection decreased 5 % from 2010 to 2011.

Read summary of national EPCRA TRI releases for 2011.

Facilities in Wisconsin must report their Section 313 chemical releases to EPA under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA 313) by the beginning of July each year. The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 also requires information on waste management activities related to TRI chemicals. Caltha provides technical support to facilities nationwide to determine if they have processed or otherwise used Section 313 chemicals above reporting thresholds, and if so, to assist in the preparation of Form R TRI reports.

Do you miss submitting your 2011 TRI report, which was due on July 1, 2012? Contact Caltha to discuss options for submitting late Form R Toxic Release Inventory.


Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Wisconsin to obtain air and wastewater permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.
For further information, contact Caltha LLP at:
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Wisconsin Environmental Consultants Services

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental health and safety consultant services to clients across Wisconsin. Services provided include:

Wisconsin Air Permitting Consultant - WDNR Air Emission Compliance Expert
Compliance Auditing in Wisconsin
Waste Water Permitting Support
Due Diligence Services In Wisconsin
Stormwater Permitting and Compliance Expert
ISO 14001 Consultant - Environmental Management Systems
Spill Control - SPCC Plans and SPCC Rule Compliance
Short term Temporary EH&S staffing in Wisconsin
Hazardous Waste training - RCRA training in Wisconsin
Pre Demolition Hazardous Material Survey in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Hazard Communication Expert - HazCom training
Universal Waste Training



For further information click on topic above or contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

PM2.5 Attainment Determination For Milwaukee Racine, Wisconsin Area

EPA has proposed to determine that the Milwaukee-Racine, Wisconsin area had attained the 2006 24-hour fine particle (2006 PM_2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) and to more clearly explain EPA's interpretation on the applicability of CFR 51.1004(c) to the 2006 PM_2.5 NAAQS.

As background, on April 24, 2012, EPA published a proposed determination that the Milwaukee-Racine, Wisconsin area had attained the 2006 PM_2.5 NAAQS. EPA received comments on the original proposal suggesting that the suspension of certain Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements cannot be applied in this instance because it only pertains to the 1997 PM_2.5 NAAQS and not to the 2006 PM_2.5 NAAQS. As a result, EPA has reproposed portion of the original proposed determination to address this issue. EPA plans to address all comments received on the original proposal and the current reproposal in the Federal Register final notice. Comments must be received on or before January 28, 2013.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Wisconsin to obtain air and wastewater permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.
For further information, contact Caltha LLP at:
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Proposed Approval of Wisconsin GHG Permitting Approach

EPA has proposed to approve revisions to the Wisconsin State Implementation Plan (SIP), submitted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) to EPA on May 4, 2011, June 20, 2012, and September 28, 2012. The proposed revisions modify Wisconsin's Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program to establish appropriate emission thresholds for determining which new stationary sources and modification projects become subject to Wisconsin's PSD permitting requirements for their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

WDNR had proposed to defer  the application of the PSD permitting requirements to biogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from bioenergy and other biogenic stationary sources in Wisconsin until July 21, 2014. EPA is proposing approval of Wisconsin's revisions because the Agency has made the preliminary determination that these revisions are in accordance with the Clean Air Act (CAA) and EPA regulations regarding PSD permitting for GHGs.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Wisconsin to obtain air and wastewater permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.
For further information, contact Caltha LLP at:
Email: info@calthacompany.com
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Sewer Overflow Rules Approved By Wisconsin NRB

The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board has approved rules addressing untreated sanitary sewer overflows. Current state and federal law make sewage overflows into lakes and rivers illegal. However, some exceptions are allowed under current rules. The rule revisions update Wisconsin’s regulations to be more consistent with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s regulatory approach regarding sanitary sewerage overflows. The revised rules, found in Natural Resources Chapters 110, 205, 208 and 210, will now go to lawmakers for their review.

The revised rules prohibit sanitary sewer overflows, and create a consistent set of factors that will be used to determine when and what enforcement will occur if there is noncompliance with this prohibition. The rules also require every sewage collection system owner to develop and implement a capacity, management, operation and maintenance program to reduce the amount of rain and melting snow that enters their sewerage system. The rule requires public notification, consistent with the system’s emergency response plan, using the most effective and efficient communications available in the community including at a minimum, notifying a daily newspaper by written or electronic communication when a sanitary sewer overflow occurs, so that the public is aware of overflows that may present a health risk.

The rule also creates a process where DNR may approve permit conditions wherein a municipality may implement certain practices, such as blending, that allow efficient operations at the sewage treatment plant, but do not allow permit effluent limitations to be exceeded.


Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Wisconsin to obtain air and wastewater permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.
For further information, contact Caltha LLP at:
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EPA Action Proposed On WDNR SIP For PM2.5

EPA is proposing to disapprove a revision to Wisconsin's State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) in a letter dated May 12, 2011. The revision concerns permitting requirements relating to particulate matter of less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5). EPA is proposing to disapprove the revisions because they do not meet the 2008 PM2.5 SIP requirements.

On May 12, 2011, Wisconsin requested a revision to its SIP to include new permit requirements relating to PM2.5. The provisions were designed to match the requirements set forth in the May 2008 and October 2010 rules. The submittal included permanent rules to define major source thresholds and significant emission increase levels; establish the SMC for PM2.5; establish interpollutant trading ratios for PM2.5, sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX); and clarify existing nonattainment area permitting rules.

On July 21, 2011, EPA announced a change in its policy concerning the development and adoption of interpollutant trading provisions for PM2.5. The new policy requires that any ratio involving PM2.5 precursors submitted to EPA for approval for use in a state's interpollutant offset program for PM2.5 nonattainment areas must be accompanied by a technical demonstration that shows the net air quality benefits of such a ratio for the PM2.5 nonattainment area in which it will be applied. In a letter dated March 5, 2012, WDNR requested to withdraw its request to have NR 408.06(1)(cm), the provision pertaining to interpollutant trading ratios, included in its 2011 submittal. EPA has evaluated WDNR's proposed revisions to the Wisconsin SIP in accordance with the Federal requirements governing state permitting programs.

EPA is proposing to disapprove these revisions because they do not meet all the requirements of the 2008 rules. According to EPA, Wisconsin's current SIP does not contain the explicit language to account for PM2.5 and PM10 condensables in permitting decisions, as codified in 51.166(b)(49)(vi) and 40 CFR 52.21(b)(50)(vi), and to date, the State has not made a submission with such revisions. EPA is proposing to disapprove the revisions to Wisconsin rules NR 400, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408 and 484, submitted by the State on May 12, 2011, for approval into the SIP. The full or partial disapproval of a SIP revision triggers the requirement under section 110(c) that EPA promulgate a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) no later than two years from the date of the disapproval unless the state corrects the deficiency, and the Administrator approves the plan or plan revision before the Administrator promulgates such FIP.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Wisconsin to obtain air and wastewater permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.
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Statewide General Wetland Permit

The general permit WDNR deleloped to streamline the wetland permitting process for some residential, commercial and industrial projects impacting wetlands is now effective. The statewide general permit (“GP”) is required under a new State law passed in 2012. It enables people who have a project resulting in the unavoidable filling of up to 10,000 square feet of wetland to get their permit decision more quickly if the project meets the standards and conditions in the general permit. Previously, all landowners wanting to pursue projects that involve wetland fill were required to seek an individual permit and lengthier environmental review. Projects that involve more than 10,000 square feet of wetland fill or do not meet the GP standards and conditions continue to require a wetland individual permit, which has a longer process time, a higher permit fee, and require wetland mitigation and a higher level of environmental review.

The general permit for smaller projects identifies the location, design, and construction standards and other conditions any project must meet to qualify for the general permit, and to ensure that minimal environmental effects occur. The general permit is valid statewide for 5 years. When property owners’ projects apply to be covered under the general permit, DNR is required to issue a decision within 30 days.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Wisconsin to obtain air and wastewater permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.
For further information, contact Caltha LLP at:
Email: info@calthacompany.com
Website: http://www.calthacompany.com/