[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]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P