[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 79 (Monday, April 25, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24089-24090]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-09602]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-9945-59-Region 10]
Proposed Issuance of NPDES General Permit for Idaho Drinking
Water Treatment Facilities (Permit Number IDG380000)
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of proposed issuance of NPDES General Permit and request
for public comment.
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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 proposes
to issue a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
General Permit for Drinking Water Treatment Facilities in Idaho (DWGP).
This proposed draft DWGP is intended to provide coverage for seven
existing facilities with expired individual permits, in addition to any
new applicants who are eligible for coverage. The seven existing
permittees have individual permits which were issued on November 1,
2006, and expired on October 31, 2011. These seven permittees currently
operate under an administrative extension of their individual permits.
When issued, the DWGP will replace these seven administratively
extended individual permits. As proposed, the DWGP authorizes the
discharge from drinking water treatment facilities to surface waters
within the State of Idaho from existing facilities and new facilities
interested in seeking coverage. The draft DWGP contains technology-
based and water quality-based effluent limitations for conventional and
toxic pollutants, along with administrative reporting and monitoring
requirements, as well as standard conditions, prohibitions, and
management practices. A description of the basis for the conditions and
requirements of the proposed general permit is given in the Fact Sheet.
Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1341, requires EPA to
seek a certification from the State of Idaho that the conditions of the
DWGP comply with State water quality standards. The Idaho Department of
Environmental Quality (IDEQ) has provided a draft certification that
the draft DWGP complies with State of Idaho Water Quality Standards
(IDAPA 58.01.02), including the State's antidegradation policy. EPA
intends to seek a final certification from IDEQ prior to issuing the
DWGP. This is also notice of the draft Sec. 401 certification provided
by IDEQ. Persons wishing to comment on the draft State certification
should send written comments to Nicole Deinarowicz; Idaho Department of
Environmental Quality, State Office, Surface Water Program; 1410 North
Hilton Street; Boise, Idaho 83706 or via email to
[email protected]
DATES: The public comment period for the draft DWTP commences today and
comments must be received or postmarked no later than midnight Pacific
Daylight Time on May 25, 2016. All comments related to the draft DWGP
and Fact Sheet received by EPA Region 10 by the comment deadline will
be considered prior to issuing the final DWGP.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the draft DWGP may be sent to: Kai Shum, Office
of Water and Watersheds; USEPA Region 10; 1200 6th Ave, Suite 900, OWW-
191; Seattle, Washington 98101. Comments may also be submitted by fax
to (206) 553-1280 or electronically to [email protected] (make sure to
write ``Comments on the Draft Idaho Drinking Water Treatment Facilities
General Permit'' in the subject line).
Hand Delivery/Courier: Deliver comments to Kai Shum, EPA Region 10,
Office of Water and Watersheds, Mail Stop OWW-191, 1200 6th Avenue,
Suite 900, Seattle, WA 98101-3140. Call (206) 553-0060 before delivery
to verify business hours.
Viewing and/or Obtaining Copies of Documents. A copy of the draft
DWGP and the Fact Sheet, which explains the proposal in detail, may be
obtained by contacting EPA at 1 (800) 424-4372. Copies of the documents
are also available for viewing and downloading at: https://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/WATER.NSF/NPDES+Permits/DraftPermitsID. Requests
may also be made to Audrey Washington at (206) 553-0523 or
[email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kai Shum, Office of Water and
Watersheds, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10. Contact
information included above in the ``Submitting Comments'' Section.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Executive Order 12866: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
exempts this action from the review
[[Page 24090]]
requirements of Executive Order 12866 pursuant to Section 6 of that
order.
Economic Impact [Executive Order 12291]: The EPA has reviewed the
effect of Executive Order 12291 on this Draft DWGP and has determined
that it is not a major rule pursuant to that Order.
Paperwork Reduction Act [44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.] The EPA has
reviewed the requirements imposed on regulated facilities in the Draft
DWGP and finds them consistent with the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1980, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
Regulatory Flexibility Act [5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.] The Regulatory
Flexibility Act (RFA) requires that EPA prepare an initial regulatory
flexibility analysis for rules subject to the requirements of the
Administrative Procedures Act [APA, 5 U.S.C. 553] that have a
significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. However,
EPA has concluded that NPDES General Permits are not rulemakings under
the APA, and thus not subject to APA rulemaking requirements or the
RFA.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Section 201 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA), Public Law
104-4, generally requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of
their regulatory actions (defined to be the same as rules subject to
the RFA) on tribal, state, and local governments, and the private
sector. However, General NPDES Permits are not rules subject to the
requirements of the APA, and are, therefore, not subject to the UMRA.
Authority: This action is taken under the authority of Section
402 of the Clean Water Act as amended, 42 U.S.C. 1342. I hereby
provide public notice of the Draft Idaho DWGP in accordance with 40
CFR 124.10.
Dated: April 18, 2016.
Daniel D. Opalski,
Director, Office of Water and Watersheds, Region 10.
[FR Doc. 2016-09602 Filed 4-22-16; 8:45 am]
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