Environmental Protection Agency September 26, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Director, Office of Water and Watersheds, EPA Region 10, is proposing to issue a general National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for Offshore Seafood Processors in Alaska, pursuant to the provisions of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq. The draft general permit authorizes the discharge of treated seafood processing wastes from new and existing facilities to State and Federal Waters, at least 0.5 nautical miles from shore as delineated by mean lower low water. Interested persons may submit comments on the proposed general permit to EPA Region 10 at the address below. Comments must be received or postmarked by November 10, 2008. A fact sheet has been prepared which sets forth the principle factual, legal, policy, and scientific information considered in the development of the draft general permit. The draft general permit contains a variety of technology-based and water quality-based effluent limitations, along with administrative and monitoring requirements, as well as other standard conditions, prohibitions, and management practices. Within state waters a 100 foot mixing zone is proposed for residues, dissolved gas, non-hydrocarbon oil and grease, fecal coliform, pH, temperature, color, turbidity, and total residual chlorine. In addition, the permit allows for the issuance of site specific zones of deposit (ZODs) by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC). The site specific ZODs would only be authorized for facilities discharging between 0.5-1 nautical mile from shore upon application by the discharger. If a discharger requests a ZOD, ADEC would public notice the proposed ZOD authorization before the ZOD is authorized for the discharger. ZODs will be granted through an individual State certification that will be attached to EPA's authorization to discharge letter. Public Comment: Copies of the draft general permit, fact sheet, Biological Evaluation, Essential Fish Habitat Assessment, Environmental Assessment, Preliminary Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), and Ocean Discharge Criteria Evaluation are available upon request. Theses documents may also be downloaded from the Region 10 Web site at https:// www.epa.gov/r10earth/waterpermits.htm (click on draft permits, then Alaska). Interested persons may submit written comments to the attention of Lindsay Guzzo at the address below. All comments must include the name, address, and telephone number of the commenter and a concise statement of comment and the relevant facts upon which it is based. Comments of either support or concern which are directed at specific, cited permit requirements are appreciated. After the expiration date of the Public Notice on November 10, 2008, the Director, Office of Water and Watersheds, EPA Region 10, will make a final determination with respect to issuance of the general permit. The proposed requirements contained in the draft general permit will become final upon issuance if no significant comments are received during the public comment period.