[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 187 (Friday, September 26, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55611-55612]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-24407]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7563-7]


Proposed Issuance of General NPDES Permits for Small Publically 
Owned Treatment Works (POTWs) and Other Small Treatment Works Treating 
Domestic Sewage in Alaska (NPDES Permits Nos. AKG-57-0000, and AKG-57-
1000)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10.

ACTION: Notice of proposed issuance of two general NPDES permits.

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SUMMARY: The Director, Office of Water, EPA Region 10, proposes to 
issue general National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) 
permits for small POTWs and other small treatment works treating 
domestic sewage in Alaska pursuant to the provisions of the Clean Water 
Act (CWA) 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq. One general permit is applicable to 
those facilities discharging to marine waters (NPDES Permit Number AKG-
57-1000) while the second general permit is applicable to facilities 
discharging to fresh waters (Number AKG-57-0000).
    When issued, the proposed general permits will establish effluent 
limitations, standards, prohibitions and other conditions on discharges 
from covered facilities. These conditions are based on existing 
national effluent guidelines (40 CFR part 133 Secondary Treatment 
Regulations), and the State of Alaska's Water Quality Standards (18 AAC 
70). The general permits contain conditions applicable to three 
categories of treatment: Treatment works where a mechanically aerated 
waste stabilization pond (aerated lagoon) is used as the principal 
process; treatment works where a passive waste stabilization pond (non-
aerated lagoon) is used as the principal process; and other treatment 
works treating domestic sewage. The fact sheet describes the basis for 
the conditions and requirements of the proposed general permits.
    The proposed permits will authorize discharge to waters of the 
United States in and contiguous to the State of Alaska. Sewage 
treatment plants meeting any of the following conditions will be 
excluded from coverage under the general permits: The design flow or 
actual discharge flow exceeds 1.0 million gallons per day; a total 
maximum daily load (TMDL) analysis is approved for the receiving water 
and includes waste load allocations for the facility; the receiving 
water is listed as impaired (i.e. 303(d) listed) for failure to meet a 
water quality standard and the facility discharges a pollutant that 
contributes to the impairment; and/or the facility receives a 
significant contribution from a non-domestic industrial user(s). 
Dischargers meeting any of the above criteria are required to apply for 
and obtain an individual NPDES permit.

DATES: Interested persons may submit comments on the proposed issuance 
of the general permits to EPA, Region 10 at the addresses below. 
Comments must be postmarked by November 10, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed issuance of the general permits 
should be sent to the attention of the Director, Office of Water, 1200 
Sixth Avenue OW-130, Seattle, Washington 98101. Comments may also be 
submitted electronically to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of the proposed general permits 
and fact sheet are available upon request. Requests may be made to 
Audrey Washington at (206) 553-0523 or to Mike Lidgard at (206) 553-
1755. Requests may also be electronically

[[Page 55612]]

mailed to: [email protected] or [email protected].
    The proposed general permits and fact sheet may also be found on 
the EPA Region 10 Web site at http://www.epa.gov/r10earth/water.htm, 
click on Water Quality, then NPDES permits under Programs and draft 
permits under EPA Region 10 Information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Executive Order 12866: The Office of Management and Budget exempted 
this action from the review requirements of Executive Order 12866 
pursuant to section 6 of that order.
    Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA): Under the RFA, 5 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq., a federal agency must prepare an initial regulatory flexibility 
analysis ``for any proposed rule'' for which the agency ``is required 
by section 553 of (the Administrative Procedure Act (APA)), or any 
other law, to publish general notice of proposed rulemaking.'' The RFA 
exempts from this requirement any rule that the issuing agency 
certifies ``will not, if promulgated, have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities.'' EPA has concluded 
that NPDES general permits are permits under the APA and thus not 
subject to APA rulemaking requirements or the RFA.

    Dated: September 10, 2003.
Robert R. Robichaud,
Acting Associate Director, Office of Water, Region 10, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency.
[FR Doc. 03-24407 Filed 9-25-03; 8:45 am]
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