This permit authorizes the operation of a no-discharge composting operation covering less than 20 acres in size. The acreage is measured by calculating the area that is within the composting perimeter, including unloading, storage and handling of composting materials and finished compost. It does not include buffer zones, parking lots, maintenance facilities and stormwater control basins.  This permit applies to composting operations whose feedstocks include any combination of animal manure, animal litter, agricultural products and residuals, biosolids, septage, domestic waste, yard waste, paper waste, wood waste, food products and food residuals.

Facilities discharging all stormwater and wastewater directly to a combined sewer system connecting to a publically owned treatment works which has consented to receive such a discharge are exempt from stormwater permit requirements. The facility may apply for No Exposure Certification in leau of stormwater permit coverage. This permit does not apply to landfill composting operations or composting done as part of a site-specific landfill permit.

Length of Permit

The department issues this general permit for a five-year period. The effective date is Jan. 25, 2023 and expires Jan. 24, 2028. If a facility applies for and receives this permit on Nov. 28, 2027, their permit will expire Jan. 24, 2028.

Laws, Rules and Regulations

How to Apply

Applications

Fact Sheets

Fees

$200 annual permit fee.

Timeline/ Process

The department must issue or deny a master general permit within 60 days of receiving the permit application. If a public notice is required as part of the process, the department will issue or deny the permit within 90 days of receiving the permit application. The department will request additional information if the application is not complete, which will delay the review process.

Public Participation

Public notification of the issuance of this general permit to an individual applicant is not required by state regulations. Public notices are issued on this master general permit every 5 years. The only exception to this rule, 10 CSR 20-6.020, is when a facility applies for the first time the following master general permits.

  • Airport
  • Chemical manufacturing
  • Fabricated structured metal
  • Foundries
  • Limestone and rock quarries
  • Lubricant manufacturing
  • Petroleum storage greater than 50,000 gallons
  • Wood treaters

Administrative Hearing Commission

Anyone who is adversely affected by the director's decision to issue, deny, suspend or revoke a permit must appeal within 30 days of the decision to the Administrative Hearing Commission as provided by 621.250.3 RSMo. All appeals must be filed by petition and send to:

Administrative Hearing Commission
PO Box 1557
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: 573-751-2422
Fax: 573-751-5018
Website: Administrative Hearing Commission

Requirements

Reporting

Permittees may be required to submit monitoring reports and meet sampling requirements. The number of reports and samples and timeline to submit documents may vary depending on the type of facility, processes, discharges and activities. A detailed list of these requirements are included within the Feedstock Compost Sites MOG920000 master general permit.

  • The facility must register in the department’s eDMR system through the Missouri Gateway for Environmental Management (MoGEM) before the first report may be due.
  • Spill reporting: any emergency involving a hazardous substance must be reported to the department’s 24-hour Environmental Emergency Response hotline at 573-634-2436 at the earliest practicable moment after discovery. These reporting requirements apply when the spill results in chemicals or materials leaving the permitted property or reaching waters of the state.
  • The permittee shall give notice to the department as soon as possible of any planned physical alterations or additions to the permitted facility when the alteration or addition could significantly change the nature or increase the quantity of pollutants in the discharge. The permittee shall also notify the alteration or addition results in a significant change in disposal practices and may justify the application of permit conditions different from or absent in the current permit.
  • Reporting Non-detects: The permittee shall not report a sample result as “non-detect” without also reporting the method detection limit or the highest reporting limit; whichever is higher.

Standard Condition Part I

This document of standard conditions incorporate permit conditions as required by 40 CFR 122.41 or applicable state statues or regulations.  These minimum conditions include sampling, monitoring and recording; reporting requirements; bypass and upset requirements; and administrative requirements.

Renewal

Unless terminated, the permittee shall submit the Form E Application for General Permit Under Missouri Clean Water Law MO 780-0795 no later than 30 days prior to the permit’s expiration date for renewal. When a facility submits a timely and complete application and the department is unable through no fault of the permittee to issue a renewed permit prior to expiration of the previous permit, the terms and conditions of the expired permit are administratively continued and will remain fully effective and enforceable until such time when a permit action is taken. Failure to submit a renewal application is a violation of the Missouri Clean Water Law.

Resources

Wastewater Construction Permit

This master general permit does not cover construction activities that may be required as part of the project. If you plan to construct, install or modify any earthen basin, collection system or wastewater treatment facility, you may be required to obtain a Wastewater Construction Permit.

Land Disturbance Permit

This master general permit does not cover land disturbance activities or construction of earthen basins. Land disturbance activities disturbing one or more acres of total area for the entire project or less than one acre for sites that are part of a common promotional plan of development may require a land disturbance permit.

Major Water User

Any surface or groundwater user with a water source and the equipment necessary to withdraw or divert 100,000 gallons (or 70 gallons per minute) or more per day combined from all sources from any stream, river, lake, well, spring or other water source is considered a major water user in Missouri. All major water users are required by law to register water use annually. 

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