Nebraska § 54-2429 - National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit; construction and operating permit; application; approval from Chief Water Officer; department; powers; applicability of Engineers and Architects Regulation Act.

§ 54-2429. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit; construction and operating permit; application; approval from Chief Water Officer; department; powers; applicability of Engineers and Architects Regulation Act.

(1) An applicant for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit or a construction and operating permit under the Environmental Protection Act or the Livestock Waste Management Act shall not be issued a permit until the applicant has obtained any necessary approvals from the Chief Water Officer under the Safety of Dams and Reservoirs Act. The department may require the applicant to obtain approval from the Chief Water Officer for any dam, holding pond, or lagoon structure which would not otherwise require approval under the Safety of Dams and Reservoirs Act but which in the event of a failure could result in a significant discharge into waters of the state and have a significant impact on the environment.

(2) An applicant required to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit is subject to the requirements of the Engineers and Architects Regulation Act.

(3) An applicant who has a large concentrated animal feeding operation, as defined in 40 C.F.R. 122 and 123, as such regulations existed on January 1, 2004, and who is required to obtain a construction and operating permit is subject to the requirements of the Engineers and Architects Regulation Act.

(4) An applicant who has a small or medium animal feeding operation, as defined in 40 C.F.R. 122 and 123, as such regulations existed on January 1, 2004, and who is required to obtain a construction and operating permit, but not required to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, is exempt from the Engineers and Architects Regulation Act.

(5) The department may require an engineering evaluation or assessment performed by a licensed professional engineer for a livestock waste control facility if after an inspection: (a) The department determines that the facility has (i) visible signs of structural breakage below the permanent pool, (ii) signs of discharge or proven discharge due to structural weakness, (iii) improper maintenance, or (iv) inadequate capacity; or (b) the department has reason to believe that an animal feeding operation with a livestock waste control facility has violated or threatens to violate the Environmental Protection Act, the Livestock Waste Management Act, or any rules or regulations adopted and promulgated under such acts. Animal feeding operations not required to have a permit under the Environmental Protection Act, the Livestock Waste Management Act, or the rules and regulations adopted and promulgated pursuant to such acts are exempt from the Engineers and Architects Regulation Act.