Proposed General Wastewater Permit for Small Suction Dredge Mining in Idaho
About Public Notice
#IDG-37-0000
Public Notice Issued:
January 22, 2010
Comment Period Ends:
March 8, 2010
Technical Contacts:
Cindy Godsey
(206) 553-0165
godsey.cindy@epa.gov
Summary
EPA proposes to issue a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit to placer mining operations in Idaho for small suction dredges (intake nozzle size of 5 inches in diameter or less and with equipment rated at 15 horsepower or less). When issued, the permit will establish effluent limitations, standards, prohibitions and other conditions on discharges from covered facilities. A description of the basis for the conditions and requirements of the proposed general permit is given in the Fact Sheet. This is also notice of the draft §401 Certification provided by the state of Idaho.
Tentative Determination
The Region 10 Office of EPA has tentatively determined to issue the NPDES general permit as described in the “Summary” section above.
State Certification
This Notice will also serve as Public Notice of the draft § 401 Certification (Appendix D of the Fact Sheet) by the State of Idaho, Department of Environmental Quality that the subject permit will comply with the applicable provisions of Sections 208(e), 301, 302, 303, 306 and 307 of the Clean Water Act. The NPDES general permit will not be issued until the certification requirements of Section 401 have been met.
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Public Comments
On the permit: Persons wishing to comment on the tentative determinations contained in the proposed permit may do so in writing, within 45 days of the date of this public notice.
Comments must be received by March 8, 2010. All comments should include the name, address, and telephone number of the commenter, a concise statement of any comment, and the relevant facts upon which it is based. All written comments and requests should be submitted to USEPA-Region 10, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, OWW-130, Seattle, WA 98101-3140. Comments may also be submitted via email to godsey.cindi@epa.gov or faxed to (206) 553-0165. A request for a public hearing must state the nature of the issues to be raised as well as the requester’s name, address and telephone number.
On EPA’s request for Section 401 certification: Persons wishing to comment on EPA’s request for certification of the permit under Section 401 of the CWA must submit written comments by March 8, 2010 to Johnna Sandow, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ), 1410 N. Hilton Boise, Idaho 83706. Ms. Sandow may be reached by phone at (208) 373-0163 or by e-mail at johnna.sandow@deq.idaho.gov.
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Informational Workshops
Public Informational Workshops will be held the week of February 22, 2010. The locations, dates, and times are listed below:
| Location | Address | Date/Time |
| Nez Perce National Forest | 104 Airport Road
Grangeville, ID | February 22, 2010
4 pm – 7 pm |
| Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Conference Room C | 1410 N. Hilton
Boise, ID | February 23, 2010
2 pm – 5 pm |
| Salmon-Challis National Forest | 1206 S. Challis Street
Salmon, ID | February 24, 2010
4 pm - 7 pm |
| Idaho Department of Fish and Game | 4279 Commerce Circle
Idaho Falls, ID | February 25, 2010
3 pm – 6 pm |
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Document Availability
Files Available:
The draft NPDES permit and Fact Sheet are on file and may be inspected at the above address any time between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Copies and other information may be requested by writing to the EPA at the above address to the attention of the NPDES Permits Unit, or by calling (206) 553-0523.
| The documents are also available at the following locations: |
EPA Idaho Operations Office
1435 North Orchard Street
Boise, Idaho 83706
(208) 378-5746 | IDEQ State Office
1410 North Hilton
Boise, Idaho 83706
(208) 373-0502 |
IDEQ
Twin Falls Regional Office
1363 Fillmore Street
Twin Falls, Idaho 83301
(208) 736-2190
(800) 270-1663 | IDEQ
Boise Regional Office
1445 North Orchard
Boise, Idaho 83706
(208) 373-0550
(888) 800-3480 |
IDEQ
Lewiston Regional Office
1118 F Street
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
(208) 799-4370
(877) 541-3304 | IDEQ
Pocatello Regional Office
444 Hospital Way, #300
Pocatello, Idaho 83201
(208) 236-6160
(888) 655-6160 |
IDEQ
Idaho Falls Regional Office
900 N. Skyline Suite B
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402
(208) 528-2650
(800) 232-4635 | IDEQ
Coeur d’Alene Regional Office
2110 Ironwood Pkwy
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83814
(208) 769-1422
(877) 370-0017 |
| or may be requested by e-mail from: washington.audrey@epa.gov or godsey.cindi@epa.gov |
To ensure effective communication with everyone, additional services can be made available to persons with disabilities by contacting one of the above EPA representatives. For those with impaired hearing or speech, please contact EPA's telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD) at (206) 553-1598.Top of page
Public Hearing
Written comments receive as much consideration as oral comments at a public hearing. Persons wishing to request a public hearing should submit their written request by March 8, 2010 stating the nature of the issues to be raised as well as the requester’s name, address and telephone number to Cindy Godsey at the address above. If a public hearing is scheduled, notice will be published in the Federal Register, will be posted on the Region 10 web site, and will be e-mailed to all interested persons receiving notice of availability of the draft permit.
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