Do I need to have coverage under the Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) and the Construction Geneeral Permit (CGP) for mining activity?
Coverage under the CGP is required for the construction or exploration phase, and coverage under the MSGP is required for the active mining phase. This is due to EPA’s concern that the initial clearing, grading, or excavation on a site could escape permit coverage under the MSGP for mining activities (e.g., Sector G -Metal Mining) despite the significant pollutant discharges that may nevertheless result. Members of the mining industry have requested to be covered by only one permit for any and all earth disturbances. To allow this, EPA may need to modify the MSGP. As part of the next MSGP reissuance, EPA will reconsider the effectiveness and justification for addressing different mining phases in two different permits, including whether all mining and mining-related activities (from exploration and construction to reclamation) should be placed back into the MSGP only. At present, however, discharges relating to the exploration and construction phases of mining operations must be covere
