HomeMy WebLinkAbout09. 16-470SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 16-470 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED___7-0___ LOST________LAID OVER________WITHDRAWN________)
PURPOSE: APPROVE SETTLEMENT WITH WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL RESOURCES (WDNR) PERTAINING TO WISCONSIN
POLLUTION DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (WPDES)
PERMIT
INITIATED BY: LEGAL DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, The City of Oshkosh was issued a Wastewater Pollution Discharge
Elimination System (WPDES) permit on June 24, 2013, with an effective date of July 1, 2013;
and
WHEREAS, the City filed a timely request for a hearing on the permit; and
WHEREAS, the parties have reached a tentative settlement of this matter contingent
upon the approval of the Common Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of
Oshkosh that the proper City officials are hereby authorized and directed to execute and
deliver an agreement substantially in the same form as the attached with the Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources pertaining to the Wastewater Pollution Discharge
Elimination System Permit in resolution of the current contested case hearing between the
parties, any changes in the execution copy being deemed approved by their respective
signatures, and said City officials are authorized and directed to take those steps necessary
to implement the terms and conditions of the Agreement.
TO: Mayor, and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Lynn A. Lorenson, City Attorney
DATE: September 21, 2016
RE: Approve Settlement Agreement with Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources (WDNR) pertaining to Wisconsin Pollution Discharge Elimination
System (WPDES) Permit
BACKGROUND
The City was issued a Wastewater Pollution Discharge Elimination System (WPDES)
permit on June 24, 2013, with an effective date of July 1, 2013. This permit sought to
impose a water quality based effluent limit (WQBEL) for phosphorus equal to the
established water quality criterion for Lake Winnebago (.04 mg/L). The City's prior
limit was 1.0 mg /L. Although there were also other issues within the challenges, the
overall phosphorus issue was the driving issue within the challenge and the focus of the
parties' discussion and negotiations.
The monthly average phosphorus discharge from the City's WWTF has generally been
between 0.40 and 0.75 mg /L, with a few months recording higher averages. CH2M Hill,
the City's consultant, believes that significant modifications in the form of capital and
operating costs to the City's Wastewater Treatment Plant would be required to meet the
lower .04 limit and estimated that the cost would be between $80 and $120 million to
achieve this limit.
The City challenged the new restrictive phosphorus limits that the Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), with support from the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), sought to implement in the wastewater treatment facility's
water permit. A request for a hearing on the permit limits was filed in August 2013 and
the DNR issued a letter agreeing that the City had a right to a hearing. The request had
the effect of temporarily staying the permit terms which were the subject of the City's
1
challenge pending a hearing and a final decision by the Hearing Examiner on the
permit challenge.
Initially neither the City nor the WDNR pushed to have the hearing moved
immediately forward primarily because both parties were aware that there were other
issues and projects moving forward in relation to the phosphorus issue, including the
study and implementation of a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) limit for
phosphorus for the Upper Fox River and Lake Winnebago. Ultimately, the
establishment of a TMDL limit will result in a phosphorus allocation within the City's
permit which will replace the .04 limit. Because the establishment of a new TMDL limit
will replace the current limit, staff recognized value in staying the permit challenge or
seeking a settlement pertaining to the current permit with reasonable terms for interim
requirements. This allowed the City to focus on providing input into the TMDL process
and ensuring our right to potentially challenge the TMDL limit should that become
necessary in the future. The DNR has estimated that the City will receive an
"indication" of its TMDL allocation by early next year.
While neither the City nor WDNR were initially pushing this permit challenge forward
for a final hearing, the parties have continued discussion over the course of the past
three years pertaining to potential settlement. Because of the amount of time that has
passed since the filing of the City's request for a contested case hearing in relation to its'
permit and increased pressure on WDNR to issue permits and close out contested cases
to meet their requirements to the federal government, the parties have been actively
pursuing a settlement with the City through the course of this year.
We have reached a tentative agreement that the attorneys, consultants and staff believe
we can now recommend to resolve the contested case hearing related to the City's
permit.
ANALYSIS
The proposed settlement is consistent with direction previously given by the Council.
The proposed settlement establishes the effective interim limit for phosphorus that will
be carried forward into the new reissued permit at .80 mg /L which is a level that the
city's consultants have determined is achievable for the City. WDNR has made the
commitment within the settlement to maintain this interim limit and to provide a new
Water Quality Based Effluent Limit (WQBEL) in the City's next permit, which provides
the City some certainty as we move into the next permit term.
The major points within the agreement are as follows:
• Under the terms of the settlement agreement WDNR will issue the City a new
permit which will expire on June 30, 2018 at the same time the challenged five
year permit from 2013 would have expired. There will be a notice period built
into the issuance of the permit to ensure that neither EPA nor a third party
challenges the permit prior to it becoming finalized (the "Notice Period "). In the
absence of a challenge during the Notice Period, the City will dismiss it request
for a hearing and a new permit would then be issued to begin July 1, 2018.
• In the event of a challenge during the Notice Period, the City reserves the right to
reject this settlement and continue to challenge the permit terms and conditions
in its pending hearing request.
• .80 mg /L interim limit -- Within the settlement agreement WDNR agrees to
establish the City's new interim limit at .80 mg /L which CH2M Hill, the City's
technical consultants pertaining to the operation of the WWTP, believe is
attainable with the City's existing technology and little additional cost to the
plant's current operation.
• The .04 limit — although the .04 limit will remain within the reissued permit, the
limit will not become effective and so will not bind the City under the doctrine of
anti- degradation . (Note: Under this Doctrine, the permit holder subject to an
existing limit that is in effect cannot substitute a less stringent limit in the future
without making a showing required for an exemption from this doctrine) The
proposed settlement specifically recognizes that this limit will be replaced by a
new WQBEL based upon the results of the TMDL study when the new permit is
issued in 2018.
• The settlement preserves the City's rights to challenge future permit limits and
the TMDL limit in the future; as well as to seek a site specific criteria or variance
in relation to phosphorus limits.
The settlement recognizes the City's ability to meet its phosphorous
requirements by allocation between the City' wastewater treatment plant
facilities and storm water facilities which is also permitted by the WDNR.
The compliance schedule will include completion of a preliminary compliance
alternatives plan showing how the City plans to meet lower phosphorus
discharge limits by December 31, 2017 but includes language specifically
recognizing that this preliminary plan will incorporate reasonable assumptions
and be general in scope to take into account the fact that the TMDL process may
not be completed at the time this plan is due and that the City may challenge the
TMDL limit.
The Settlement resolves the current permit challenge primarily by preserving the
City's rights to contest future permits and future actions related to the TMDL limit.
Resolving this challenge will allow the City to focus its time and efforts providing input
into and working toward the completion of the TMDL process and analyzing various
other options pertaining to phosphorus compliance such as the potential for a statewide
variance option, developing site specific criteria and options for adaptive management
or water quality trading.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the approval of the settlement with WDNR for the current permit
challenge.
3Res ctfu lly Submi ted,
A. Lorens
City Attorney
Approved:
Mark A. Rohloff
City Manager
REVISED DRAFT SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT — September 9, 2016
This Settlement Agreement ("Agreement ") is made effective this 30" day of September
as between the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources ( "WDNR ") and the City of
Oshkosh ( "Oshkosh ") to resolve a pending contested case challenge brought by Oshkosh.
BACKGROUND
WHEREAS, WDNR issued a Wisconsin Pollution Discharge Elimination System
( "WPDES ") permit ( "Permit ") to Oshkosh that contains a water quality based effluent
limitation ( "WQBEL ") for phosphorus, the effective date for which is after the expiration
date of WPDES Permit No. WI- 0025038 -08 -0;
WHEREAS, section 3.1.2.3 of the Permit contains an interim phosphorus limit of
1.0 mg/L ( "Interim Limit ") and final phosphorus effluent limit of 40 pg/L and 6.7 lb /day
as 6 -month averages and 120 pg/L as a monthly average ( "Final WQBEL ");
WHEREAS, Oshkosh has challenged the Final WQBEL and the associated
compliance schedule in the Permit in a Wis. Stat. § 283.63 petition filed on August 22,
2013;
WHEREAS, section 3.1.2.3 of the Permit specifies that the Final WQBEL may be
revised if new information or additional data supports a recalculation of the numeric
limitation;
WHEREAS, a Total Maximum Daily Load ( "TMDL ") study for the Upper Fox
River and Lake Winnebago ( "TMDL Study ") is currently underway and will be
completed before the Final WQBEL becomes effective;
WHEREAS, WDNR will reevaluate the Final WQBEL prior to the effective date
of the Final WQBEL and will issue a new decision on the Final WQBEL based on
information from the TMDL Study ("New Final WQBEL "); and
WHEREAS, Oshkosh and WDNR have reached an agreement regarding the issues
raised in the petition regarding the Final WQBEL and the associated compliance
schedule;
IT IS HEREBY AGREED:
1. No later than thirty (30) days following the execution of this agreement, WDNR shall
provide public notice of a proposed modification of the Permit, with terms and
conditions as set forth in Attachment A ( "Permit Modification ").
2. Prior to the expiration date of the current Permit and before the effective date of the
Final WQBEL, WDNR shall re- evaluate and replace the Final WQBEL with a New
Final WQBEL.
3. In determining the New Final WQBEL in the next issuance of the Permit, WDNR
shall consider information from the TMDL Study, as well as any other applicable
information. If Oshkosh provides information that would support a site specific water
quality criterion, WDNR shall also reevaluate the applicable water quality criteria.
4. WDNR's reevalution of the Final WQBEL shall be included as a New Final WQBEL
in a proposed reissuance of WPDES Permit No. WI- 0025038.
5. WDNR's reevaluation of the Final WQBEL (the New Final WQBEL) will be a new
decision. Oshkosh retains the right to challenge the New Final WQBEL and any
related compliance schedule pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 283.63 (the "Review ") and, in
the event of a Review, Oshkosh retains the right in the Review to challenge the Final
WQBEL as well as required actions for the Final WQBEL that have due dates in the
compliance schedule for the Final WQBEL that post -date the expiration date of the
current Permit..
6. In accordance with Wis. Stat. § 283.63(1)(am), if a petition for a contested case
hearing is filed challenging the New Final WQBEL, Oshkosh will be subject to the
most recent effective Interim Limit during the pendency of the challenge.
7. If, in the future, WDNR decides to remove a TMDL -based WQBEL from the Permit
in accordance with Wis. Admin. Code § NR 217.16 and replace that limit with a
WQBEL calculated under Wis. Admin. Code § NR 217.13, WDNR will recalculate
the WQBEL based on the applicable information available at the time the WQBEL is
recalculated. In such an event, Oshkosh retains the right to challenge such a
recalculated WQBEL under applicable law existing at that future time.
8. Oshkosh retains its right to request a variance under applicable law including, in
particular, Wis. Stat. §§ 283.15 and 283.16.
9. Prior to the next issuance of the Permit, Oshkosh shall prepare a Preliminary
Compliance Alternatives Plan, in accordance with Attachment A. The plan shall
evaluate alternative compliance options over the reasonable expected range of Final
WQBELs in the next issuance of the Permit based on information and results from the
TMDL study, including any draft waste load allocations, as well as other applicable
information. Oshkosh may employ reasonable engineering judgment to determine the
reasonable expected range of the Final WQBEL when preparing the Preliminary
Compliance Alternatives Plan. WDNR recognizes that the Preliminary Compliance
Alternatives Plan will necessarily be general in scope and may not consist of a
detailed review of the alternative compliance options. WDNR further recognizes that
the Final Alternatives Plan may include a compliance option that is different than the
option selected in the Preliminary Compliance Alternatives Plan.
10. If the Permit is modified according to the terms of Attachment A anytime on or before
March 1, 2017, and no timely third party challenge to the Permit is filed, Oshkosh
shall withdraw the Petition for Review and Request for Contested Case Hearing filed
on August 22, 2013.
11. If the Permit is modified according to the terms of Attachment A anytime on or before
March 1, 2017, WDNR and Oshkosh agree they will not seek review pursuant to Wis.
Stat. §§ 283.63 or 227.42 of the modified Permit.
12. This Agreement may be executed and delivered in counterpart signature pages
executed and delivered via facsimile transmission or via email with scan or email
attachment, and any such counterpart executed and delivered via facsimile
transmission or via email with scan or email attachment will be deemed an original.
CITY OF OSHKOSH
M.
Mark A. Rohloff, City Manager
an
Pamela R. Ubrig, City Clerk
Lynn Lorenson, City Attorney
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT of NATURAL, RESOURCES
LN
Kurt A. Thiede, Deputy Secretary
16131950.1
Attachment A
3 Surface Water Requirements
3.1 Sampling Point(s)
Sam lin Point Designation
Sampling
Sampling Point Location, Waste Type /Sample Contents and Treatment Description (as applicable)
Point
Sample
Frequency
Number
Notes
001
Effluent: Representative samples of the effluent from the facility shall be collected from the channel prior
MGD
to the chlorine contact chamber, except that chlorine residual and fecal samples shall be collected after
Continuous
dechlorination. The discharge reported at Outfall 001 represents the total effluent discharge from the
CBOD5
facility. The flow rate reported at Outfall 001 is the total effluent discharge from the facility to the Fox
40 mg/L
River and Campbell Creek, and effluent characteristics reported at Outfall 001 are also representative of
24 -Hr Flow
Prop Comp
any discharge via Outfall 003.
003
Emergency Effluent Overflow: This outfall is a, fixed weir located about two feet below the top of the
Suspended Solids,
Total
effluent channel wall on the outlet side of the chlorine contact basins. Under high flow conditions the
45 m L
WWTF loses some of its normal discharge capacity due i an increase in river elevation. This factor
24 -Hr Flow
Prop Comp
combined with increased flow through the chlorine contact basins can cause the effluent channel to back
Monthly Avg
up and sometimes reach and overflow the weir which then discharges to Campbell Creek. Discharges to
pH Field
Campbell Creek through Outfall 003 may occur only when the flow rate at Outfall 001 reaches 32 MGD.
3.2 Monitoring
The permittee shall comply
ments. and Effluent Limitations
3.2.1 Sampling Point (Outfa
requirements and limitations.
Monitoring Requirements and Effluent Limitations
Parameter
Limit Type
Limit and
Units
Sample
Frequency
Sample
Type
Notes
Flow Rate
MGD
Daily
Continuous
CBOD5
Weekly Avg
40 mg/L
5 /Week
See Section
3.2.1.2.
24 -Hr Flow
Prop Comp
Monthly Avg
25 mg /L
Suspended Solids,
Total
Weekly Avg
45 m L
5 /Week
See Section
3.2.1.2.
24 -Hr Flow
Prop Comp
Monthly Avg
30 mg/L
pH Field
Daily Min
6.0 su
5 /Week
See Section
3.2.1.2.
Grab
Daily Max
9.0 su
Fecal Coliform
Geometric
Mean
400 # /100 ml
Weekly
Grab
Chlorine, Total
Residual
Daily Max
38 µg/L
5 /Week
See Section
3.2.1.2.
Grab
Monitoring Requirements and Effluent Limitations
Parameter
Limit Type
Limit and
Sample
Sample
Notes
Units
Frequency
Type
Nitrogen, Ammonia
Monthly Avg
38 m
5 /Week
24 -Hr Flow
Applies January — March
(NH3 -N) Total
See Section
Prop Comp
Monthly Avg
23 mg/L
Applies during Aril
3.2.1.2.
Monitoring only, May —
October
Monthly Avg
39 mg/L
Applies November —
December
Phosphorus, Total
Monthly Avg
0.8 mg/L
5 /Week
24 -Hr Flow
Interim limit. The final
See Section
Prep Comp
effluent limits are 40 µg/l,
3.2.1.2.
and 6.7 lb /day as 6 -month
averages, and 120 µg/L as a
='
monthly average; see
Sections 3.2.1.3 and
3.2.1.4. The compliance
schedule for achieving final
compliance is listed in
Section 5.1.
Cadmium, Total
µg/L
Monthly
24 -Hr Flow
See Sections 3.2.1.5 and
Recoverable
Prop Comp
3.2.1.6.
Chromium, Total
µg/L :'
Monthly
24 -Hr Flow
Recoverable
Prop Comp
Copper, Total
µg/L
Monthly
24 -Hr Flow
Recoverable
Prop Com
Lead, Total
µg/L
Monthly
24 -Hr Flow
Recoverable
Prop Comp
Nickel, Total
µg/L
Monthly
24 -Hr Flow
Recoverable
Prop Comp
Zinc, Total
µg/L
Monthly
24 -Hr Flow
Recoverable
Prop Comp
Mercury, Total
Daily Max ,.
3.6 ng/L
Quarterly
Grab
Alternative effluent
Recoverable
limitation. See Section
3.2.1.7 for mercury
monitoring requirements,
and Section 5.2 for
pollutant minimization
program implementation
re uirements.
Acute WET
TUa
See Listed
24 -Hr Flow
See Section 3.2.1.8 for
Qtr(s)
Prop Comp
WET testing schedule and
3.2.1.1 Average Annual Design Flow
The average annual design flow of the permittee's wastewater treatment facility is 20 MGD.
2
3.2.1.2 Monitoring Conducted at a Frequency of 5/Week
Parameters required to be monitored at a frequency of 5 /Week shall be monitored each day in which an in -plant
diversion occurs or flow occurs at the Emergency Effluent Overflow, Outfal1003.
3.2.1.3 Phosphorus Limitation(s)
Interim Phosphorus Limitation: The interim effluent limitation for phosphorus is 0.8 mg/L and is effective on the
effective date of this permit.
Final Phosphorus Effluent Limitations: The final phosphorus effluent limitations are 40 µg/L and 6.7 lb /day as 6-
month averages *, and 120 pg/L as a monthly average, unless:
(A) As part of the application for the next reissuance, or prior to filing the application, the permittee submits
either:
1.) A watershed adaptive management plan and a completed Watershed Adaptive Management
Request Form 3200 -139; or
2.) An application for water quality trading,,,dk
3.) An application for a variance; or
4.) New information or additional data that.supports a recalculation of the numeric limitation;
and,
(B) The Department modifies, revokes and reissues, or reissues the permit to incorporate a revised limitation
before the expiration of the compliance schedule * *.
* The applicable averaging periods for 6 -month average Total Phosphorus effluent limits are May through October
and November through April.
** The Department will prioritize reissuances and revocations, modifications, and reissuances of permits to allow
permittees the opportunity to implement adaptive management or nutrient tradi in a timely and effective manner.
3.2.1.4 Alternative Approaches to Phosphorus WQBEL Compliance
If Adaptive Management or Water Quality Trading is approved as part of the permit application for the next
reissuance or as part of an application for a modification or revocation and reissuance, the plan and specification
submittal, construction, and final effective dates for compliance with the total phosphorus WQBEL may change in the
reissued or modified permit. In addition, the numeric value of the water quality based effluent limit may change based
on new information ( e.g. a TMDL) or additional data If a variance is approved for the next reissuance, interim
limits and conditions will be imposed in the reissued permit in accordance with s. 283.15, Stats., and applicable
regulations. A permittee may apply for a variance fic the phosphorus WQBEL at the next reissuance even if the
permittee did not apply for a phosphorus variance as part of this permit reissuance.
Note: If a water quality based effluent limit has taken effect in a permit, any increase in the limit is subject to s. NR
102.05(1) and ch. NR 207 Wis. Adm. Code.
3.2.1.5 Total Metals Analyses
Measurements of total metals and total recoverable metals shall be considered as equivalent.
3.2.1.6 Sample Analysis
Samples shall be analyzed using a method which provides adequate sensitivity so that results can be quantified, unless
not possible using the most sensitive approved method.
3.2.1.7 Mercury Monitoring
The permittee shall collect and analyze all mercury samples according to the data quality requirements of ss. NR
106.145(9) and (10), Wisconsin Administrative Code. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) used for the effluent and field
blank shall be less than 1.3 ng/L, unless the samples are quantified at levels above 1.3 ng/L. The permittee shall
collect at least one mercury field blank for each set of mercury samples (a set of samples may include combinations of
intake, influent, effluent or other samples all collected on the same day). The permittee shall report results of samples
and field blanks to the Department on Discharge Monitoring Reports.
3.2.1.8 Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Testing
Primary Control Water: Grab sample collected from the Fox River, upstream and out of the influence of the
permittee's discharge and any other known discharge — unless the use of a different control water source is approved
by the Department prior to use.
In- stream Waste Concentration (IWC): 11.9%
Dilution series: At least five effluent concentrations and dual controls must be included in each test.
• Acute: 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25% and any additional selected by the permittee.
• Chronic: 100, 30, 10, 3, 1% and any additional selected by the permittee.
WET Testing Frequency: Tests are required during tl
• Acute and Chronic:
• October 1, 2013 — December 31, 2013
• July 1, 2014 — September 30, 2014
• April 1, 2015 — June 30, 2015
• January 1, 2016 — March 31, 2016
• October 1, 2017 -- December 31, 2017
ters.
Reporting: The permittee shall report test results on the Discharge Monitoring Report form, and also complete the
"Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Report Form" (Section 6, "State of Wisconsin Aquatic Life Toxicity Testing Methods
Manual, 2nd Edition "), for each test. The original. complete, signed version of the Whole Effluent Toxicity Test
Report Form shall be sent to the Biomonitoring Coordinator, Bureau of Water Quality, 101 S. Webster St., P.O. Box
7921, Madison, WI 53707 -7921, within 45 days of test completion. The original Discharge Monitoring Report
(DMR) form and one copy shall be sent to the contact and location provided on the DMR by the required deadline.
Determination of Positive Results: An acute toxicity test shall be considered positive if the Toxic Unit - Acute (TUa)
is greater than 1.0 for either species. The TUa shall be calculated as follows: If LC50 ? 100, then TUa = 1.0. If LCso is
< 100, then TUa = 100 - LCso. A chronic toxicity test shall be considered positive if the Relative Toxic Unit -
Chronic (rTUe) is greater than 1.0 for either species. The rTUc shall be calculated as follows: If IC25 ? IWC, then
rTU, = 1.0. If IC25 < IWC, then rTUc = IWC _ IC25.
Additional Testing Requirements: Within 90 days of a test which showed positive results, the permittee shall
submit the results of at least 2 retests to the Biomonitoring Coordinator on "Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Report
Forms ". The 90 day reporting period shall begin the day after the test which showed a positive result. The retests
shall be completed using the same species and test methods specified for the original test (see the Standard
Requirements section herein).
4
5.1 Water Quality Based Effluent Limits (WQBELs) for Total Phosphorus
The permittee shall comply with the WQBELs for Phosphorus as specified. No later than 30 days following each
compliance date, the permittee shall notify the Department in writing of its compliance or noncompliance. If a
submittal is required, a timely submittal fulfills the notification requirement.
Required Action
Due Date
Operational Evaluation Report: The permittee shall prepare and submit to the Department for
6/30/2014
approval an operational evaluation report. The report shall include an evaluation of collected effluent
data, possible source reduction measures, operational improvements or other minor facility
modifications that will optimize reductions in phosphorus discharges from the treatment plant during
the period prior to complying with final phosphorus WQBELs and, where possible, enable
compliance with final phosphorus WQBELs. The report shall provide a plan and schedule for
implementation of the measures, improvements, and modifications as soon as possible, but not later
than June 30, 2016 and state whether the measures, improvements, and modifications will enable
compliance with final phosphorus WQBELs. Regardless of whether they are cted to result in
compliance, the permittee shall implement the measures, improvements, and m - -cations in
accordance with the plan and schedule specified in the operational evaluation repo a
If the operational evaluation report concludes that the facility can achieve final phosph WQBELs
using the existing treatment system with only source reduction measures, operational imp %{� ents,
and minor facility modifications, the permittee shall comply with the final phosphorus WQ by
June 30, 2016 and is not required to comply with the milestones identified below for years 3 through
9 of this compliance schedule (`Preliminary Compliance Alternatives Plan', `Final Compliance
Alternatives Plan', `Final Plans and Specifications', `"Treatment Plant Upgrade to Meet WQBELs',
`Complete Construction', `Achieve Compliance').
If the Operational Evaluation Report concludes that the permittee cannot achieve final phosphorus
WQBELs with source reduction measures, operational improvements and other minor facility
modifications, the permittee shall initiate a study of feasible alternatives for meeting final phosphorus
WQBELs and comply with the remaining required actions of this schedule of compliance. If the
Department disagrees with the conclusion of the report, and determines that the permittee can achieve
final phosphorus WQBELs using the existing treatment system with only source reduction measures,
operational improvements, and minor facility modifications, the Department may reopen and modify
the permit to include an implementation schedule for achieving the final phosphorus WQBELs
sooner than July 1, 2022.
Compliance Alternatives, Source Reduction, Improvements and Modifications Status: The
6/30/2015
permittee shall submit a'Compliance Alternatives, Source Reduction, Operational Improvements and
Minor Facility Modification' status report to the Department. The report shall provide an update on
the permittee's: (1) progress implementing source reduction measures, operational improvements,
and minor facility modifications to optimize reductions in phosphorus discharges and, to the extent
that such measures, improvements, and modifications will not enable compliance with the WQBELs,
(2) status evaluating feasible alternatives for meeting phosphorus WQBELs.
Preliminary Compliance Alternatives Plan: The permittee shall submit a preliminary compliance
12/31/2017
alternatives plan to the Department.
If the plan concludes upgrading of the permittee's wastewater treatment facility is necessary to
achieve final phosphorus WQBELs, the submittal shall include a preliminary engineering design
report.
If the plan concludes Adaptive Management will be used, the submittal shall include a completed
Watershed Adaptive Management Request Form 3200 -139 without the Adaptive Management Plan.
If water quality trading will be undertaken, the plan must state that trading will be pursued.
Final Compliance Alternatives Plan: The permittee shall submit a final compliance alternatives
12/3 1/20 18
plan to the Department.
If the plan concludes upgrading of the permittee's wastewater treatment is necessary to meet final
phosphorus WQBELs, the submittal shall include a final engineering design report addressing the
treatment plant upgrades, and a facility plan if required pursuant to ch. NR 110, Wis. Adm. Code.
If the plan concludes Adaptive Management will be implemented, the submittal shall include a
completed Watershed Adaptive Management Request Form 3200 -139 and an engineering report
addressing any treatment system upgrades necessary to meet interim limits pursuant to s. NR 217.18,
Wis. Adm. Code.
If the plan concludes water quality trading will be used, the submittal shall identify potential trading
partners.
Note: See `Alternative Approaches to Phosphorus WQBEL Compliance' in the Surface Water section
of this permit. -
12/31,12019
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Pf
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Final Plans and Specifications: Unless the permit has been == pked and reissued, or
09/30 /2019
reissued to include Adaptive Management or Water Quality Tradin g me es or to include a revised
schedule based on factors in s. NR 217.17, Wis. Adm. Code, the permittee 7U, s submit final
construction plans to the Depart approval pursuant to s. 281.41, Statsecifying treatment
plant upgrades that must be constricted to achieve compliance with final phosphorus WQBELs, and
a schedule for completing construction of the upgrades by the complete construction date specified
below. (Note: Permit modification, revocation and reissuance, and reissuance are subject to s.
283.53(2), Stats.)
Note: See `Alternative Approaches to Phos horus" Q-1 „Compliance' in the Surface Water section
of this permit.`
Treatment Plant Upgrade to Meet WQBE l e permittee shall initiate construction of the
03/31/2020
upgrades. The permittee shall obtain approval o A final construction plans and schedule from the
Department pursuant to s. 281.41. Stats. Upon approval of the final construction plans and schedule
by the Department pursuant to s. 281.41, Stats., the permittee shall construct the treatment plant
upgrades in accordance with the approved plans and specifications.
Note: See `Alternative Approaches to Phosphorus WQBEL Compliance' in the Surface Water section
of this permit.
Construction Upgrade Progress Report #1: The permittee shall submit a progress report on
09/30/2020
construction upgrades.
Note: See `Alternative Approaches to Phosphorus WQBEL Compliance' in the Surface Water section
of this permit.
Construction Upgrade Progress Report: The permittee shall submit a progress report on
09/30/2021
construction upgrades. [Continued on next page]
Note: See `Alternative Approaches to Phosphorus WQBEL Compliance' in the Surface Water section
of this permit.
Complete Construction: The permittee shall complete construction of wastewater treatment system
06/30/2022
upgrades.
Note: See `Alternative Approaches to Phosphorus WQBEL Compliance' in the Surface Water section
of this permit.
Achieve Compliance: The permittee shall achieve compliance with final phosphorus WQBELs.
07/01/2022
Note: See `Alternative Approaches to Phosphorus WQBEL Compliance' in the Surface Water section
of this permit.