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GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES ------------0------------ DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES No. 45 Estate Mars Hill, Frederiksted St. Croix, Virgin Islands 00840 Office of the Commissioner Telephone: (340) 773-1082 FAX: (340) 773-1716 CONTACT: Jamal Nielsen, Media Relations Coordinator FAX: (340) 713-2430 jamal.nielsen@dpnr.vi.gov August 5, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DPNR TO IMPLEMENT NEW TPDES FEE Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) advises the public that pursuant to Title 12, Chapter 7 Subchapter 184 of the Virgin Islands Rules and Regulations, effective September 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 October 1, 2020. 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 TPDES permit fees https://dpnr.vi.gov/environmental- protection/water-pollution-control-program/. DPNR’s website for TPDES permits has forms that will help permit applicants and permittees determine the fee due. There are two types of TPDES 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 October 1, 2020. After 2020, annual fee payments will be due March 31st 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 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% of what is in the tables. PUBLIC MEETING DPNR will host a virtual public meeting to explain the new fees on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, from 5:30 to7:30 pm. The following information should be used to participate 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/environmental- protection/water-pollution-control-program For any information regarding the TPDES program, please call the Division of Environmental Protection at (340) 774-3320 in St. Thomas, and (340) 773-1082 in St. Croix.