Louisiana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permitting Information

In accordance with LAC 33:IX.2311.A.1, an LPDES discharge permit is required for the discharge of pollutants from any point source into waters of the state of Louisiana. A point source is any discernible, confined, and discrete conveyance, including but not limited to any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, container, rolling stock, concentrated animal feeding operation, landfill leachate collection system, vessel, or other floating craft from which pollutants are or may be discharged.

Individual Permit Fees

Annual Fees are calculated by multiplying the rating points times the rate factor. The rating points are computed using the appropriate annual fee rating worksheet. This worksheet should accompany your draft permit. The current rate factor for municipal facilities is $148.00/rating point and for all other facilities is $271.96/rating point. The annual fee shall be paid each year a facility is subject to regulation. The year corresponds with the state's fiscal year of July 1 through June 30. For new facilities the annual fee may be prorated to correspond to the start-up date of the facility. The annual fee for inactive facilities that wish to retain permit coverage may be reduced by 50% any year in which the facility is inactive for the entire fiscal year. In no case will the fee be reduced below the minimum fee. The minimum annual fee is currently $345.00.

New, Modified and Reissued Permit Fees shall be 20% of the calculated annual fee, but not less than the minimum annual fee.

General Permit Fees

 

Due Dates/Late Payments

Fees shall be received by the Department by the due date indicated on the invoice. Payments not received within 15 days of the due date will be charged a late payment fee. Failure to pay the prescribed application fee or annual fee within 90 days after the due date, will constitute a violation of the regulations and shall subject the person to applicable enforcement action.

These reports will be posted weekly. Each individual report will list the applications received during the previous 4 weeks, sorted by parish. If you have any questions, contact David Ferrand at (225) 219-3284.

The time frame for LPDES permit issuance varies greatly by the facility, permit type, and the number of applications and Notices of Intent (NOIs) the Department receives at any time.  For the most expeditious processing time, it is imperative that each application or NOI submitted be complete and correct.   

For applicants submitting a NOI for coverage under a general permit, the applicant is strongly advised to read the prospective general permit prior to submitting an NOI. Each general permit includes deadlines for application - which vary from a minimum of 14 days up to 6 months prior to expected discharge. Facilities that are proposed, new construction sites may also require an additional 30 day review period by the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) prior to processing by the Water Permits Division.

For individual permit applications, the drafting phase of the LPDES may encompass several weeks to several months depending on the complexity of the facility and if the facility is determined to be a minor or major discharger.   Major LPDES permits require a 30 day EPA review period.   Both major and minor LPDES permits require a minimum of a 30 day public notice period with an option for interested parties to request a public hearing.   Per regulations LAC 33:I.1505.C, LDEQ is provided 300 days to issue a final decision for new applications.   The "300 day rule" does not include time the Department requires to request and obtain additional information due to deficient applications, for EPA review, or for consideration of public comments.