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DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO GEORGIA’S RULES FOR EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION CONTROL, CHAPTER 391-3-7
TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND PARTIES:
Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the authority set forth below, the Environmental Protection Division (hereinafter, "EPD") of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources proposes amendments to the Rules for Erosion and Sedimentation Control, Chapter 391-3-7. EPD proposes to amend Rules 391-3-7-.01 and 391-3-7-.09 to ensure consistency between the Rules for Erosion and Sedimentation Control and the 2020 amendments to the Erosion and Sedimentation Act under Senate Bill (SB) 445. EPD also proposes to amend Rules 391-3-7-.05 and 391-3-7-.11 to ensure consistency with the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act, O.C.G.A.§ 50-13-1 et seq., and to provide clarification regarding existing processes.
This notice, together with an exact copy of the proposed rule amendments, a synopsis, and statement of rationale of the proposed rule amendments, is being provided to all persons who have requested in writing that they be placed on a notification list. These documents may be viewed online at https://epd.georgia.gov/chapter-391-3-7-erosion-sedimentation or on Tuesdays between 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, Watershed Protection Branch file room, 2 MLK Jr. Drive, SW, West Tower, Balcony, Suite 418, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334. To set an appointment, email askepd@dnr.ga.gov with your name, email and phone number and an associate will reach out to you. Copies may also be requested by contacting the Watershed Protection Branch at (404) 463-1511 or the EPD Director’s Office at 1-888-373-5947.
To provide the public an opportunity to comment upon and provide input into the proposed rule amendments, a public hearing will be held on May 11, 2021, beginning at 10:00 a.m. In accordance with EPD’s safety precautions regarding the COVID-19 virus and in keeping with the Governor’s Declaration of a Public Health Emergency, EPD will be hosting this public hearing via Zoom. Zoom is a free web conferencing platform that also allows participation by phone. To participate in the public hearing, please click the following link or copy and paste it into your browser:
https://gaepd.zoom.us/j/91865180570?pwd=eWFjOE5IWGlQbXJGT2NWSGJoUDZUUT09
Meeting ID: 918 6518 0570
Passcode: 162462
To dial in by phone, please call this number: 888-788-0099 (Toll-free). When prompted, enter the Meeting ID and/or Passcode shown above.
At the public hearing, anyone may present data, make a statement, comment or offer a viewpoint or argument either orally or in writing. Lengthy statements or statements of a considerable technical nature, as well as previously recorded messages, must be submitted in writing for the official record. Oral statements should be concise.
Written comments are welcomed. In order to be included in EPD’s summary to the Board of Natural Resources, written comments should be received on or before May 24, 2021. Written comments may be emailed to: EPDComments@dnr.ga.gov or sent via regular mail addressed to Branch Chief, Watershed Protection Branch; 2 MLK Jr. Drive, SW, Suite 1152, East Tower, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334. If you choose to e-mail your comments, please include the words “Rules for Erosion and Sedimentation Control” in the subject line to help ensure that your comments will be forwarded to the correct staff.
The Rule amendments will be considered for adoption by the Board of Natural Resources at its meeting at 9:00 a.m. on June 22, 2021. The meeting will be open to the public and held via teleconference. In accordance with necessary safety precautions regarding the COVID-19 virus, members of the public may access the meeting online or by phone using the Zoom platform. The options for online or phone access will be posted on the Board’s website under the “DNR Board Menu” header here: https://gadnr.org/board.
The proposed rule amendments are proposed for adoption pursuant to authority contained in the Erosion and Sedimentation Act of 1975, O.C.G.A. § 12-7-1 et seq.
For more information, please contact Michael Berry of the Watershed Protection Branch at michael.berry@dnr.ga.gov or (404) 651-8554.
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