NPDES Permits of Significant Public Interest
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Back River WWTP Permit Renewal
State Permit Number: 22-DP-0581
NPDES Permit Number: MD0021555
Documents for Current Renewal
- Application and Informational Meeting
- Tentative Determination and Public Hearing
Additional Information
Contact Information
If you have questions or would like additional information about this permit, please contact the Municipal Permits Division by phone at 410-537-3363 or by email at yen-der.cheng@maryland.gov.
Patapsco WWTP Permit Renewal
State Permit Number: 21-DP-0580
NPDES Permit Number: MD0021601
Documents for Current Renewal
- Application
- Tentative Determination and Public Hearing
Additional Information
Contact Information
If you have questions or would like additional information about this permit, please contact the Municipal Permits Division by phone at 410-537-3363 or by email at yen-der.cheng@maryland.gov.
Darling International (formerly Valley Proteins) NPDES Permit
State Permit Number: 04-DP-0024
NPDES Permit Number: MD0003247
Existing Permit
- Final Permit (Signed 12/27/2022, Effective 2/1/2023)
- Permit Transfer From Valley Proteins to Darling International (Effective 2/1/2023, Clarified 3/4/2024)
- Final Response to Comments Document (Completed 12/27/2022)
- Final Fact Sheet
- Permit Remand Information
- On November 22, 2024, the Circuit Court for Dorchester County remanded the permit to MDE for further proceedings to ensure that any discharges from the Facility will conform to Maryland and federal law and ensure compliance with water quality standards in the Transquaking River watershed.
- On March 14, 2025, the Circuit Court issued an order clarifying that the current permit remains in effect during the remand proceedings.
Updates on Completion of Higgins Millpond TMDL and Permit Modification
- The Department has projected a tentative timeline for completing the Higgins Millpond TMDL by the end of 2027.
- Renewal or modification of the Darling International NPDES permit will commence during the finalization process of the new TMDL and is tentatively projected for completion in early 2028.
- Updates as of June 1, 2025:
- Watershed delineation and water quality characterization were completed in early 2025.
- The Watershed Freshwater Simulation will be finalized by the end of June 2025.
- A contractor has been secured to complete Watershed Sediment and Nutrient Simulations,and a water quality simulation for Higgins Millpond. The Department tentatively projects these items will be completed by July 2026.
- Drafting of the TMDL will commence during the above simulations.
Contact Information
If you have questions or would like additional information about this permit, please contact the Industrial Permits Division by phone at 410-537-3323 or by email at jonathan.rice@maryland.gov.
Additional Information and Related Links
