Requirements for discharge of water

(a) General permit.--Except as provided in subsection (b), aquacultural facilities, including those existing facilities which discharge into high quality or exceptional value waters, licensed under this chapter may be eligible for inclusion under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permit issued pursuant to regulations of the Department of Environmental Protection. (b) Permitting system.--The Department of Environmental Protection is directed to develop an NPDES general permit for aquacultural facilities. Net effluent limitation, monitoring type and frequency of pollutants shall be determined in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and the advisory committee. The fee for an applicant seeking coverage to discharge pursuant to the terms and conditions of the general permit shall not exceed $100 per facility during a period of five years. (c) Consolidation of permitting.--All agencies of the Commonwealth are directed to work with the Department of Environmental Protection to develop a consolidated permitting process for aquacultural facilities. This consolidated permitting process shall result in one permit to replace potentially several permits necessary for an applicant to file. This consolidated permitting process shall be developed and implemented on or before January 1, 2000.