[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 5 (Monday, January 8, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 915-916]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-00096]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-10152-03-R10]
Reissuance of NPDES General Permit for Federal Aquaculture
Facilities and Aquaculture Facilities Located in Indian Country in
Washington (WAG130000)
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Reissuance of NPDES General Permit.
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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10, is reissuing
the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General
Permit for Federal Aquaculture Facilities and Aquaculture Facilities
Located in Indian Country in Washington (WAG130000).
DATES: The reissuance date of the general permit is January 8, 2024.
The
[[Page 916]]
general permit will be effective March 1, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the general permit, 2022 fact sheet, 2023 fact
sheet addendum, and response to comments document are available online:
https://www.epa.gov/npdes-permits/npdes-general-permit-federal-aquaculture-facilities-and-aquaculture-facilities-located.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests may be made to Audrey
Washington at (206) 553-0523. Requests may also be electronically
mailed to: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On September 7, 2022, EPA Region 10 proposed to reissue the general
permit (87 FR 54688). In response to requests from the regulated
community, EPA Region 10 extended the end of the public comment period
from November 7 to December 22, 2022 (87 FR 66178). On July 18, 2023,
EPA Region 10 initiated a second public comment period focused
exclusively on four changes made to the General Permit (88 FR 45901).
Eligible facilities include Concentrated Aquatic Animal Production
(CAAP) facilities, non-CAAP facilities, aquaculture research
facilities, and dam fish passage facilities. Currently, there are 32
facilities covered under the existing administratively continued
general permit. Existing aquaculture facilities may request
authorization to discharge under the general permit by submitting a
Notice of Intent (NOI) no more than ninety (90) days following the
effective date of the general permit. New facilities that begin
operations after the effective date of the general permit must submit a
NOI at least 180 days prior to initiation of operations. Upon receipt,
EPA will review the NOI to ensure that all permit requirements are met.
If determined appropriate by EPA, a discharger will be granted coverage
under the general permit upon the date that EPA provides written
notification.
Please see the general permit and fact sheet.
Other Legal Requirements
This action is not a significant regulatory action and was
therefore not submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
for review.
In accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), an
Environmental Assessment (EA) and associated Finding of No Significant
Impact (FONSI) for a proposed facility at Cassimer Bar was available
for review and comment along with this general permit.
Compliance with Endangered Species Act, Essential Fish Habitat,
Paperwork Reduction Act, and other requirements are discussed in the
2022 fact sheet to the general permit.
Appeal of Permit: Any interested person may appeal the final permit
action on or before May 7, 2024 (i.e., 120 days from the issuance date
of this permit) in the Federal Court of Appeals in accordance with
section 509(b)(1) of the CWA, 33 U.S.C. 1369(b)(1).
Caleb Shaffer,
Acting Director, Water Division, Region 10.
[FR Doc. 2024-00096 Filed 1-5-24; 8:45 am]
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