Whenever the commissioner finds that discharges from a point source or a group of point sources with the application of the effluent limitations authorized in this act, which effluent limitations are as stringent as the best available technology economically achievable as provided for in the Federal Act or State law, would interfere with the attainment and maintenance of applicable water quality standards, the commissioner may establish more stringent effluent limitations for each such point source or group of point sources, which effluent limitations can reasonably be expected to contribute to the attainment and maintenance of the applicable water quality standards. Prior to the establishment of any more stringent effluent limitations under this section, the commissioner shall publish a notice of his intent to establish such limitations and, upon request of a person affected by any such limitations, the commissioner shall hold a public hearing to determine if there is a reasonable relationship between the economic and social costs of achieving such limitations, including any economic or social dislocation in the affected community or communities, and the social and environmental benefits to be obtained, including the objective of restoring and maintaining the water quality of the State, and to determine whether such effluent limitations can be implemented with available technology or with other control strategies. If a person affected by any such limitations demonstrates at the hearing that there is no reasonable relationship between the economic and social costs of compliance and the benefits to be obtained, the commissioner shall modify any such limitations as they may apply to that person.

L.1977, c. 74, s. 8.