Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) advises the public that pursuant to Virgin Islands rules and regulations, effective Sept. 1, 2020, there will be an application fee due when applying for a Territorial Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) permit.
In addition, an annual fee for discharges is in effect, with the first one due Oct. 1.
DPNR held public hearings on the proposed fee schedule in 2016 and received many comments from the public. After incorporating suggestions, DPNR has issued final regulations setting out Territorial Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit fees. DPNR’s website for TPDES permits has forms that will help permit applicants and permittees to determine the fee due.
There are two types of Territorial Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit fees: application fees and annual discharge fees.
Application Fees
New Permits and Permit Renewals
o Henceforth, applicants must pay an application fee when applying for either a new permit or a permit renewal.
o The fee amount will depend on the type of TPDES permit (each general permit has its own fee schedule) and the size of facility, activity or discharge being permitted.
Permit Modifications
o Applicants will not be required to pay a fee for a minor modification to a permit.
o For non-minor permit modifications, the permit fee will depend on the type of modification and permit.
Annual Discharge Fees
In 2020, annual fee payments will be due Oct. 1. After 2020, annual fee payments will be due March 31 each year.
Permittees will be responsible for submitting the annual payment and appropriate form on the due date. Bills will not be mailed to permittees.
The fee amount will depend on the type of permit and the size of facility, activity or discharge being permitted, as set forth in the annual fee table.
For individual permits, the permit fee is determined by the level of discharge.
If a permit is in effect for only part of the year, the annual fee will be prorated.
Exceptions
Public Schools do not have to pay fees.
For private schools, municipalities and churches or other religious organizations, fees will be 15 percent of what is in the tables.
Public Meeting
DPNR will host a virtual public meeting to explain the new fees from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 26.
The following information should be used to participate in the meeting:
URL: https://zoom.us/join
Meeting ID: 834 1424 3032
Password: 068627
DPNR is in the process of updating its Water Pollution Control Program website with additional information about the fee program. https://dpnr.vi.gov/environmentalprotection/water-pollution-control-program
For any information regarding the TPDES program, call the Division of Environmental Protection at 774-3320 on St. Thomas or 773-1082 on St. Croix.