[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 5, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 46455]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-22279]



[[Page 46455]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7047-8]


EPA Region 8 ``Best Professional Judgment'' (BPJ) Determination 
of Effluent Limitations That Represent Best Available Technology 
Economically Achievable (BAT) for Coalbed Methane (CBM) Activities; 
Announcement of a Meeting

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice, announcement of a meeting.

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SUMMARY: EPA Region VIII will conduct an informational meeting on its 
efforts in developing a ``Best Professional Judgment'' (BPJ) 
determination of effluent limitations that represent Best Available 
Technology Economically Achievable (BAT) for Coalbed Methane (CBM) 
activities in Region 8. The Agency will provide an overview of the 
project. In December 2001, EPA intends to finalize the BPJ 
determination for Coalbed Methane produced waters, for use in Region 
8's Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System 
(NPDES) permitting activities. The meeting is open to the public, and 
limited seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

DATES: The meeting will be held on September 25, 2001, 1:00 pm to 4:00 
pm.

ADDRESSES: Sheraton Billings Hotel (Granite Room), 27 North 27th 
Street, Billings, MT 59101. For information on accommodations and/or 
directions, contact the hotel at 406-252-7400.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Reed, NPDES Permits Team, 
Water Program, Office of Partnerships and Regulatory Assistance, EPA 
Region VIII, 999 18th Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado 80202-2466; 
telephone (303) 312-6132; e-mail: [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Clean Water Act, in section 301(b), 
requires the NPDES permitting authority to consider effluent limits 
based both on the technology available to treat the pollutants and on 
protection of the designated uses of the receiving water. These are 
known as technology-based and water quality-based effluent limitations, 
respectively. Section 301(b)(2)(A) of the Clean Water Act requires 
effluent limitations that ``shall require the application of the best 
available technology economically achievable for such category or 
class, which will result in reasonable further progress toward the 
national goal of eliminating the discharge of all pollutants.'' There 
are two approaches for developing technology-based limits for 
industrial facilities: (1) National effluent limitations guidelines 
(ELGs) and (2) in the absence of ELGs, limitations developed on a case-
by-case basis using best professional judgment. Because CBM activities 
were not significant and widespread when EPA developed the ELGs for the 
Oil and Gas Point Source Category (40 CFR part 435), EPA did not 
consider CBM in developing these guidelines and has not applied them to 
CBM. Therefore, according to 40 CFR 125.3(c)(2), technology-based 
limits for the CBM permits need to be developed using a BPJ case-by-
case analysis.
    EPA Region 8, with the assistance of the EPA Office of Science and 
Technology in Washington, DC, will do an economic analysis to assess 
disposal options for water that is produced as part of the coalbed 
methane (CBM) extraction process. The analysis will support a BPJ 
determination of effluent limitations that represent Best Available 
Technology Economically Achievable (BAT) for CBM produced waters in 
Region 8. Several technologies are being considered for both technical 
and economic feasibility, including several water treatment 
technologies: zero discharge via reinjection, infiltration and/or 
evaporation; and beneficial use of the effluent for agriculture and 
wildlife. The main objectives of this action are to support EPA NPDES 
permitting in Indian Country, fulfilling our trust responsibility with 
Tribes to implement environmental laws and regulations, and to inform 
the states and EPA in the implementation of their NPDES permit 
programs.
    The meeting will provide an update on the development of the BPJ 
determination for BAT. EPA will discuss CBM operations in EPA Region 8, 
feasibility and cost of produced water disposal options, and economic 
and environmental impacts. EPA will also be soliciting additional 
information prior to development of the draft analysis. The meeting is 
not a mechanism for submitting formal comments and will not be recorded 
nor transcribed. A more detailed agenda and other documents related to 
the BPJ project will be available at the meeting. For those unable to 
attend the meeting, EPA will make documents available at the EPA 
website http://www.epa.gov/region08/water/wastewater/npdeshome/cbm.html, and they can be obtained by an e-mail or telephone request to 
Michael Reed at the above address.

    Dated: August 15, 2001.
Kerrigan G. Clough,
Assistant Regional Administrator,Office of Partnerships and Regulatory 
Assistance, Region VIII.
[FR Doc. 01-22279 Filed 9-4-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P