(a) The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may issue a general permit for any minor activity regulated under sections 22a-365 to 22a-378, inclusive, except for any activity covered by an individual permit, if the commissioner determines that such activity would cause minimal environmental effects when conducted separately and would cause only minimal cumulative environmental effects, and will have no adverse effect on existing or potential uses of water for potable water supplies, hydropower, flood management, water-based recreation, industry or waste assimilation. Such activities may include diversions which were eligible for registration under subsection (a) of § 22a-368 but were not registered; backup wells, provided such wells are not used to increase the quantity of water diverted from a well-field permitted or registered under said § 22a-368; transferring water from one distribution system or service area to another distribution system or service area or the installation of the capacity to transfer such water in anticipation of a water supply emergency for public water supply; and collection and discharge of runoff, including stormwater runoff and skimming of flood flows, from a watershed area less than equal to one square mile. On or before April 1, 1995, the commissioner shall issue a general permit for public water systems, as defined in § 25-33d, in accordance with this section and the regulations adopted pursuant to sections 22a-365 to 22a-378, inclusive, for diversions maintained by any entity which is acquired by such systems which diversions were eligible for registration under subsection (a) of § 22a-368 but were not registered and for backup wells provided such wells are not used to increase the quantity of water diverted from a well-field permitted or registered under said § 22a-368. Any person or municipality conducting an activity for which a general permit has been issued shall not be required to obtain an individual permit under any other provision of said sections 22a-365 to 22a-378, inclusive, except as provided in subsection (c) of this section. A general permit shall clearly define the activity covered thereby and may include such conditions and requirements as the commissioner deems appropriate, including but not limited to, management practices and verification and reporting requirements. The general permit may require any person or municipality conducting any activity under the general permit to report, on a form prescribed by the commissioner, such activity to the commissioner before it shall be covered by the general permit. The commissioner shall prepare, and shall annually amend, a list of holders of general permits under this section, which list shall be made available to the public.

(b) Notwithstanding any other procedures specified in said sections 22a-365 to 22a-378, inclusive, any regulations adopted thereunder, and chapter 54, the following procedures shall apply to the issuance, renewal, modification and revocation or suspension of a general permit: (1) The commissioner shall publish in a newspaper having a substantial circulation in the affected area or areas notice of intent to issue a general permit; (2) the commissioner shall allow a comment period of thirty days following publication of such notice during which interested persons may submit written comments concerning the permit to the commissioner and the commissioner shall hold a public hearing if, within said comment period, he receives a petition signed by at least twenty-five persons; (3) the commissioner may not issue the general permit until after the comment period; and (4) the commissioner shall publish notice of any issued permits in a newspaper having substantial circulation in the affected area or areas. Any person may request that the commissioner issue, modify or revoke a general permit in accordance with this subsection.

(c) Subsequent to the issuance of a general permit, the commissioner may require any person or municipality to apply for an individual permit under the provisions of said sections 22a-365 to 22a-378, inclusive, for all or any portion of the activities covered by the general permit, if in the commissioner’s judgment the purposes and policies of said sections would be best served by requiring an application for an individual permit. The commissioner may require an individual permit under this subsection only if the affected person or municipality has been notified in writing that an individual permit is required. The notice shall include a brief statement of the reasons for the decision and a statement that upon the date of issuance of such notice the general permit as it applies to the individual activity will terminate.

(d) Any general permit issued under subsection (a) of this section may require that any person or municipality intending to conduct an activity covered by such general permit give written notice of such intention to the inland wetlands agency, zoning commission, planning commission or combined planning and zoning commission, and conservation commission of any municipality which will or may be affected by such activity. The general permit shall specify the information which must be contained in the notice.

(e) The commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to carry out the purposes of this section.