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EPA Extends Permit Deadline for Oil and Gas Construction Activities

Release Date: 03/08/2005
Contact Information:


Contact: Dave Ryan, 202-564-7827 / ryan.dave@epa.gov

(03/08/05) EPA today announced it will extend from March 10, 2005 until June 12, 2006 the deadline for stormwater permit coverage for construction activities at oil and gas exploration, production, processing, and treatment operations and transmission facilities that disturb between one and five acres of land.

Construction activities included in this extension represent less than 10 percent of all construction activities nationwide that disturb at least one acre of land.

The Agency needs more time to consider comments raised by stakeholders and to consider the economic, legal and procedural implications related to controlling stormwater discharges from these sites.

Stormwater permits control pollutants in runoff from rain and snowmelt. EPA defines land disturbance, generally, as clearing, grading, and excavating activities.

During the next 15 months, EPA intends to complete an economic impact analysis; evaluate several regulatory options for addressing these stormwater discharges; and evaluate practices and methods used to control stormwater discharges from these sites. EPA intends to hold at least one public meeting with stakeholders to exchange information on current industry practices and their effectiveness in protecting water quality.

EPA intends to develop and propose a regulation that would address stormwater discharges from these oil and gas construction sites. This rule, to be proposed by Sept. 12, 2005, will be made available to the public for review and comment. A copy of the extension and information about EPA's stormwater program is available at: https://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater .