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Businesses considering establishing or expanding facilities in Utah may use DEQ’s pre-design process to assist with obtaining environmental permits quickly and efficiently. Begin by sending a letter or e-mail to the Office of Planning and Public Affairs briefly explaining your production processes. DEQ will arrange a meeting with Division representatives to introduce the permit process, explain which permits are required, and detail pollution prevention techniques.
Processing of permit applications can take between 21 and 180 days, depending upon the permit or permits required. Complex and large-scale project may require additional review time. Submitting complete and accurate information in the beginning reduces delay during reviews.
To set up a Pre-Design meeting, please contact:
Renette Anderson
(801) 536-4478
E-mail: renetteanderson@utah.gov
Air Quality -Companies that pollute the air must evaluate their operations and emissions to determine if an air quality approval order is needed. Businesses generating small amounts of pollution generally will not need permits. Amounts exempted vary but range between 500 pounds and 5 tons per year.
http://www.airquality.utah.gov/
Drinking Water -Water systems serving 25 or more people for more than 60 days yearly, or having 15 or more residential connections year-round, are subject to Utah Public Drinking Water Rules and must obtain a permit known as an approval order.
http://drinkingwater.utah.gov/
Environmental Response & Remediation -Underground storage tank owners and operators must register all tanks with this division. Petroleum tanks must have a Petroleum Storage Tank Fund Certificate of Compliance and a current year’s tank tag. Permanent tank closure requires prior approval from the division.
This division also oversees “Community Right-to-Know” law requirements that may require companies submit reports. Past environmental problems on land sections can also be checked against superfund and clean up activities for that areas.
http://www.environmentalresponse.utah.gov/
Radiation Control -Most companies or individuals that handle radioactive materials must be licensed or registered with this division. The division is responsible for the environmental monitoring/radon study, uranium mill tailings/low level waste management, materials licensing/inspection and x-ray registration/inspection programs.
http://www.radiationcontrol.utah.gov/
Solid and Hazardous Waste
Solid Waste -Individuals and companies may only dispose of or incinerate solid waste at approved facilities. Non-hazardous waste usually consists of municipal garbage, industrial waste or construction/demolition debris. New and expanding facilities must obtain permits.
http://www.hazardouswaste.utah.gov/SWBranch/SWSection/SolidWasteSection.htm
Waste tires -transporters and recyclers are required to register with this division.
http://www.hazardouswaste.utah.gov/SWBranch/SWSection/SolidWasteSection.htm#WasteTire
Hazardous Waste -Permits are required for those who treat, store or dispose of hazardous waste before any activities occur. If a company generates hazardous waste, they must obtain an EPA Identification number and use an approved hazardous waste collection facility for disposal. A manifest system is in place to track all hazardous waste that is transported. Companies must determine the amount of hazardous waste they will generate. This will determine their “generator” status and which rules will apply to them.
http://www.hazardouswaste.utah.gov/GeneralInformation.htm#HazardousWastePermiting
Used Oil -All companies handling used oil must obtain a permit or be registered with this division. Used oil must be disposed of properly by all companies and many used oil recycling companies are available to collect and recycle used oil from companies.
http://www.hazardouswaste.utah.gov/SWBranch/UOSection/UsedOilSection.htm
Water Quality -Several different types of permits may be required from this division depending upon a companies activities:
Waste Water Permits -Facilities that produce, treat, dispose of or otherwise discharge waster waster or domestic sewage sludge may need permits.
Construction Permits -Facilities treating waste water, may need construction permits unless they discharge into a municipal sanitary sewer system.
Surface Water Discharge Permit -Discharging waste water to surface waters, including storm drains, requires a permit prior to beginning operations. Utah Pollution Discharge Elimination System (UPDES) permits are required for all industrial, municipal, and federal facilities.
Storm Water Permits -Discharge permits are required from most industries that discharge storm water runoff to surface water. Construction activities disturbing more than one surface acre also need approval.
Ground Water Permit -Any facility that discharges or may discharge pollutants to ground water needs a permit.
Underground Injection Control Permits -Regulations are in place to ensure contaminants do not escape from injection wells into useable aquifers. Some injections wells are regulated by the Division of Oil, Gas and mining in the Department of Natural Resources.
Biosolids and Animal Feeding Operations -If you are working with a company that plans on doing either of these activities, you will also want to work with Water Quality.
Other Environmental Permits -In some cases, a company may be involved in processes with environmental impacts beyond those regulated by DEQ. In this case, the pre-design program can work with the company to determine what outside agencies should also participate in the pre-design process. These include but are not limited to:
Companies may also want to check with local fire departments regarding emergency evacuation plans, above ground storage tanks, etc.
To assure that the pre-design meeting is valuable to the company and that the most accurate information is given by DEQ, we request that the company submit an information sheet that outlines as much about waste and emissions as possible. Information that is helpful includes:
This information will assist DEQ in determining the best suited technical expert to attend the meeting. Contacts from DEQ who attend the meeting will serve as the program contact (air, land, water permits) from that point forward. This allows the company to meet personally with those who will be working with them on their permits.
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