What type of permits are not site specific and have minimum water quality protection requirements?

The correct choice is general permits. General permits are designed to cover multiple facilities or activities within a specific category, instead of being tailored for individual sites. These permits include minimum water quality protection requirements that apply broadly to all activities or facilities that fall under the permit, ensuring a baseline level of environmental protection without the need for individual assessments for each site.

This approach simplifies the permitting process for both regulatory agencies and businesses, allowing for efficient management of similar operations while still promoting compliance with water quality standards. Individual permits, on the other hand, are specific to a single site and typically involve more detailed considerations and requirements. Special permits might focus on unique circumstances requiring tailored conditions, while temporary permits are generally time-limited and may not align with the idea of broad applicability or minimum standards across multiple sites.