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Maryland State Government Maryland Department of the Environment

MDE Final Calendar Year 2012 Standard Permit Application Turnaround Times

 

MDE has made the following changes to the 2011 turnaround times for calendar year 2012.

Initial Part 70 (Title V) Permit to Operate – Reduce the turnaround time from 36 months to 18 months.  This is consistent with COMAR 26.11.03.13 for new initial Title V permits.  All of the initial Title V permits that were subject to the 36 month turnaround time have been issued.

New Source Review Approval – Increase from 10 months to 12 months
Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) – Decrease from 14 months to 12 months
Many projects trigger both New Source Review and PSD at the same time; therefore, the two approvals should have consistent permit turnaround times since one approval will not be issued without the other.  In addition, EPA federal regulations 40 CFR 124 specify a one-year permit turnaround time for PSD approvals issued by EPA (from the date of a complete application).

Tidal Wetland Licenses and Permits – A new category is being added for major projects that require a public hearing with a proposed turnaround time of 11 months.  During the development of the Program's new Application Processing Standards, it became clear that it was impossible to complete the review of a project that requires a public hearing within 240 days or 8 months.  Consequently, this new category is being added with a turnaround time of 11 months.

Groundwater Discharge Permit for Unlined Rubble Landfills – Increase from 6 months to 18 months.  This more accurately reflects actual processing times for these permits when public meetings and hearings are requested.  This permit category is only renewals so this will have minimal impact on applicants.

MDE reviews and adjusts these turnaround times annually to give permit applicants current information regarding the processing time.

Please note the following important points about these standard times:

1) These standards refer to the time between MDE’s receipt of a complete permit application and MDE’s issuance or denial of the permit, excluding delays caused by factors beyond MDE’s control.  Many applications are incomplete when they first arrive at MDE.  The appropriate MDE permit writer can provide guidance on how to ensure that an application is complete when submitted.

2) In most permitting programs, each application has unique characteristics that influence its processing time.  For each program listed, the standard time represents the time in which 90% of applications can be processed.  Many applications will require less time; a few will require more time due to unusual circumstances.

 

Program Name 2012 Standard Application Processing Time
Air and Radiation Management Administration
General Permit to Construct 30 days
Air Quality Permit to Construct 3 months - without expanded public review
4 months – synthetic minor permits without expanded public review
6 months - with expanded public review but limited public interest
11 months - with expanded public review and extensive public interest
New Source Review Approval 12 months
Prevention of Significant [air quality] Deterioration 12 months
Air Quality State Permit to Operate 3 months
Part 70 (Title V) Permit to Operate 18 months for new permits
12 months for renewals
Asbestos Contractor License 60 days
Asbestos Training Provider Approval 3 months
Incinerator Operator Certification 30 days
Incinerator Training Course Approval 60 days
Fleet Inspection Station License 30 days
Certified Emissions Repair Facility Certification 30 days
Master Certified Emissions Technician Certificate 30 days
Radiation Machine Facility Registration 90 days for dental and veterinary machines
6 months for all other machines
Certification of Machines Emitting Radiation 6 months
Radioactive Materials License 7 months
45 days for amendments and terminations
Private Inspector License For Inspecting X-Ray Machines 60 days
Reciprocal Recognition of Out-of-State Radioactive Material Licenses 21 days
Land Management Administration
Refuse Disposal Permit 7 months for transfer stations
9 months for processing facilities
9 months for processing facilities & transfer station
12 months for incinerators
12 months for land-clearing debris landfills
24 months for industrial landfills
36 months for rubble landfills
36 months for municipal landfills
Groundwater Discharge Permit for Rubble Landfill 18 months
Sewage Sludge Utilization Permit 45 days – research project
4 months – transportation
5 months – utilization or disposal at a sanitary landfill
6 months – handling/distribution
10 months – land application
23 months – treatment, incineration or storage
36 months – sewage sludge landfill
24 months – innovative projects
General Discharge Permit for Animal Feeding Operations 180 days
Natural Wood Waste Recycling Facility Permit 9 months
Natural Wood Waste Recycling Facility General Permit 60 days
Scrap Tire Hauler 60 days
Scrap Tire Collection Facilities (General and Secondary) 60 days
Scrap Tire Solid Waste Acceptance Facility 7 months
Scrap Tire TDF/Substitute Fuel Facility 7 months
Scrap Tire Primary Collection Facility 9 months
Scrap Tire Recyclers 9 months
Oil Operations Permit 90 days
Oil Operations Permit for Oil-Contaminated Soils 90 days
Oil Transfer License 30 days
General Permits for Oil Control Program Wastewater Discharge Permit 30 days
Surface Water Discharge Permit for Oil Terminals 180 days
Ground Water Discharge Permit for Oil Terminals 180 days
Underground Storage Tank (UST) Technician and Remover Certification 40 days
Controlled Hazardous Substances Facility Permit 26 months
Hazardous Waste; EPA Identification Number 30 days
Controlled Hazardous Substances Hauler, Vehicle and Driver Certification 30 days
Special Medical Waste (SMW) Hauler and Vehicle Certification 30 days
Coal Mining Permit 12 months
Surface Coal Mining Blaster Certification immediately on passing exam
Coal Mining Operator License 30 days
Non-Coal Mining Permit 7 months
Non-Coal Mining License 30 days
Oil and Gas Exploration and Production 5 months
Lead Paint Accreditations 30 days
Lead Paint Training Course Approvals 60 days
Lead Paint Instructor Approvals 30 days
Voluntary Cleanup Program 45 days to determine if application is accepted
75 days to review action plan
Water Management Administration
General Permit Registration for Industrial Wastewater Discharge 120 days for all general permits
Individual Permit for Wastewater Discharges 12 months for new minor surface facilities
18 months for new surface major facilities
24 months for renewal surface discharge facilities
18 months for new groundwater discharge facilities
34 months for renewal groundwater discharge facilities
Toxic Materials Permit 45 days
Water and Sewerage Construction Permit 3 months
Water Appropriation and Use Permit 120 days for under 10,000 gallons per day
24 months for over 10,000 gallons per day
Well Construction Permit 30 days
Drinking Water Laboratory Certification 4 months
Nontidal Wetlands (Nontidal Wetlands and Waterways Permits) 10 months for minor projects
12 months for major projects
Tidal Wetland Licenses and Permits 90 days for minor projects
8 months for major projects

11 months for major projects with a hearing

Erosion/Sediment Control and Stormwater Management Plan Approvals 6 months
Erosion and Sediment Control - Responsible Personnel Certification 2 weeks
Erosion and Sediment Control - Responsible Personnel Training Program Approval 4 weeks
General Permit for Stormwater Associated with Construction Activity 60 days for projects less than 3 acres
90 days for projects between 3 and 150 acres
Individual Permit for Stormwater Associated with Construction Activity 6 months
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Permit 18 months
Dam Safety Permit 6 months
Environmental Sanitarian License 30 days for all licenses
Waterworks and Waste Systems Operator Certification 30 days for all licenses
Well Driller License 6 months for new licenses
30 days for renewals