ARIZONA MINING PERMITTING GUIDE - AZGS Document Repository

Arizona Mining Permitting Guide
Pinal County Unitary Air Quality Permit - Continued
FEES:
The County issues new permits on a time and material basis reflecting the cost of acting on
the application. The resulting fee is subject to the ceiling established by ADEQ’s fee rules.
The first time fee, based on application processing time, could range from a few hundred
dollars for a very small source up to several thousand dollars for a large complex facility.
A typical mining operation could expect a fee in the range of $500 to 3,000, depending on
whether or not it triggers regulation under EPA’s NSPS and whether its potential emissions
have to be limited to stay under “major source” status. There will also be a recurring annual
fee for each year of the five year permit. Additionally, for large sources, the permittee will be
obligated to pay a permit fee that reflects the quantity of actual emissions during the
preceding year.
AVERAGE PROCESSING TIME:
The thirty (30) day public notice required under Arizona law means that a valid permit cannot
be issued in less than about forty five (45) days. Typically, the County issues permits for
small sources in a sixty (60) to ninety (90) day time frame. Where a member of the public
invokes the right to request a public hearing, that will potentially add another forty five (45) to
sixty (60) days. Permits for larger operations will also require EPA review, which will
substantially add to the time required. The largest sources, particularly those near wilderness
areas or Indian lands, will also require possible review by the managers of those lands.
FORMS:
http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/AirQuality/Pages/IndustrialPermits.aspx
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