80 FR 51253 - Proposed Issuance of the NPDES General Permit for Offshore Seafood Processors in Federal Waters off the Washington and Oregon Coast (Permit Number WAG520000)

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 163 (August 24, 2015)

Page Range		51253-51254
FR Document		2015-20902

The Director, Office of Water and Watersheds, EPA Region 10, is proposing to issue a general National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for Offshore Seafood Processors discharging in Federal Waters off the coasts of Washington and Oregon, pursuant to the provisions of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251, et seq. As proposed, the draft general permit authorizes the discharge of treated seafood processing wastes from facilities to Federal Waters of the contiguous zone and ocean.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 163 (Monday, August 24, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 163 (Monday, August 24, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51253-51254]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20902]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9932-96-Region 10]


Proposed Issuance of the NPDES General Permit for Offshore 
Seafood Processors in Federal Waters off the Washington and Oregon 
Coast (Permit Number WAG520000)

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 Director, Office of Water and Watersheds, EPA Region 10, 
is proposing to issue a general National Pollutant Discharge 
Elimination System (NPDES) permit for Offshore Seafood Processors 
discharging in Federal Waters off the coasts of Washington and Oregon, 
pursuant to the provisions of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251, et 
seq. As proposed, the draft general permit authorizes the discharge of 
treated seafood processing wastes from facilities to Federal Waters of 
the contiguous zone and ocean.

DATES: The public comment period for the draft general permit will be 
from the date of publication of this Notice until October 8, 2015. 
Comments must be received or postmarked by no later than midnight 
Pacific Daylight Time on October 8, 2015. Persons wishing to request a 
public hearing should submit their written request by October 8, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed general permit should be sent to 
Lindsay Guzzo, Office of Water and Watersheds; USEPA Region 10; 1200 
6th Ave., Suite 900, OWW-191; Seattle, Washington 98101. Comments may 
also be received via electronic mail at [email protected]. A copy 
of the permit and other support documents can be found on the Region 10 
Web site at http://www.epa.gov/r10earth/waterpermits.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lindsay Guzzo at [email protected] 
or (206) 553-0268. Requests may also be made to Audrey Washington at 
(206) 553-0523 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Public Comment

    The draft general permit contains technology-based effluent 
limitations, administrative and monitoring requirements, as well as 
other standard conditions, prohibitions, and management practices. A 
fact sheet has been prepared which sets forth the principle factual, 
legal, policy, and scientific information considered in the development 
of the draft general permit. Copies of the draft general permit, fact 
sheet, Biological Evaluation, Essential Fish Habitat Assessment, and 
Ocean Discharge Criteria Evaluation are available online at http://www.epa.gov/r10earth/waterpermits.htm (click on draft permits, then 
Oregon and Washington), at the EPA Region 10 headquarters at the 
address listed above any time between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, or mailed upon request. Interested persons may submit 
written comments to the attention of Lindsay Guzzo at the address 
above. All comments must include the name, address, and telephone 
number of the commenter, a concise statement of comment and the 
relevant facts upon which it is based. Comments of either support or 
concern which are directed at specific, cited permit requirements are 
appreciated.
    After the expiration date of the Public Notice on October 8, 2015, 
the Director, Office of Water and Watersheds, EPA Region 10, will make 
a final determination with respect to issuance of the general permit. 
The proposed requirements contained in the draft general permit will 
become final upon issuance if no significant comments are received 
during the public comment period.

Public Hearing

    Persons wishing to request a public hearing should submit their 
written request by October 8, 2015 stating the nature of the issues to 
be raised as well as the requester's name, address and telephone number 
to Lindsay Guzzo at the address above. If a public hearing is 
scheduled, notice will be published in the Federal Register. Notice 
will also be posted on the Region 10 Web site, and will be mailed to 
all interested persons receiving letters of the availability of the 
draft permit.

Endangered Species Act

    Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544, 
requires federal agencies to consult with the National Marine Fisheries 
Service

[[Page 51254]]

(NMFS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) if their actions 
have the potential to either beneficially or adversely affect any 
threatened or endangered species. To address these ESA requirements, 
and in support of the EPA's informal consultation with the Services, a 
Biological Evaluation (BE) was prepared to analyze these potential 
effects. The results of the BE concluded that discharges from Offshore 
Seafood Processing facilities will either have no effect or are not 
likely to adversely affect threatened or endangered species in the 
vicinity of the discharges. The fact sheet, the draft permits and the 
BE are being sent to the Services for review of consistency with those 
programs established for the conservation of endangered and threatened 
species. Any additional comments or conservation recommendations 
received from the Services regarding threatened or endangered species 
will be considered prior to issuance of the general permit.
    Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Section 
305(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act [16 U.S.C. 1855(b)] requires federal 
agencies to consult with NOAA Fisheries when any activity proposed to 
be permitted, funded, or undertaken by a federal agency may have an 
adverse effect on designated Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) as defined by 
the Act. To address the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 
EPA prepared an EFH Assessment concluding that offshore seafood 
processors operations may adversely affect essential fish habitat. 
However, the EPA expects that effects on essential fish habitat, while 
possible, are likely to be limited in extent for several reasons. For 
more information please see the Biological Evaluation/EFH assessment. 
Any additional comments or conservation recommendations received from 
NOAA Fisheries regarding EFH will be considered prior to issuance of 
the general permit.

Executive Order 12866

    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) exempts this action from 
the review requirements of Executive Order 12866 pursuant to Section 6 
of that order.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The EPA has reviewed the requirements imposed on regulated 
facilities in the draft general permit and finds them consistent with 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (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.'' The EPA has concluded that NPDES general 
permits are permits, not rulemakings, under the APA and thus not 
subject to APA rulemaking requirements or the FRA.

    Dated: August 14, 2015.
Daniel D. Opalski,
Director, Office of Water and Watersheds, Region 10.
[FR Doc. 2015-20902 Filed 8-21-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 163 / Monday, August 24, 2015 / Notices 51253

FERC–912—COGENERATION AND SMALL POWER PRODUCTION, PURPA SECTION 210(m) REGULATIONS FOR
TERMINATION OR REINSTATEMENT OF OBLIGATION TO PURCHASE OR SELL—Continued
Annual Average Total annual Cost per
Number of number of Total number burden and burden hours respondent
respondents responses per of responses cost per and total ($)
respondent response 5 annual cost

(1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) (3) * (4) = (5) (5) ÷ (1)

Reinstatement of obligations to purchase 0 0 0 0, $0 0, $0 0
Termination of obligation to sell ............... 0 0 0 0, $0 0, $0 0
Reinstatement of obligation to sell .......... 0 0 0 0, $0 0, $0 0

Total .................................................. ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ 60, $4,320 864
5 The
estimates for cost per response are derived using the following formula: Average Burden Hours per Response * $72.00 per Hour = Aver-
age Cost per Response. The hourly cost figure comes from the FERC average salary ($149,489/year). Commission staff believes the FERC av-
erage salary to be representative wage for industry respondents.

Comments: Comments are invited on: seq. As proposed, the draft general available online at http://www.epa.gov/
(1) Whether the collection of permit authorizes the discharge of r10earth/waterpermits.htm (click on
information is necessary for the proper treated seafood processing wastes from draft permits, then Oregon and
performance of the functions of the facilities to Federal Waters of the Washington), at the EPA Region 10
Commission, including whether the contiguous zone and ocean. headquarters at the address listed above
information will have practical utility; DATES: The public comment period for any time between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00
(2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate the draft general permit will be from the p.m., Monday through Friday, or mailed
of the burden and cost of the collection date of publication of this Notice until upon request. Interested persons may
of information, including the validity of October 8, 2015. Comments must be submit written comments to the
the methodology and assumptions used; received or postmarked by no later than attention of Lindsay Guzzo at the
(3) ways to enhance the quality, utility midnight Pacific Daylight Time on address above. All comments must
and clarity of the information collection; October 8, 2015. Persons wishing to include the name, address, and
and (4) ways to minimize the burden of request a public hearing should submit telephone number of the commenter, a
the collection of information on those their written request by October 8, 2015. concise statement of comment and the
who are to respond, including the use ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed relevant facts upon which it is based.
of automated collection techniques or general permit should be sent to Comments of either support or concern
other forms of information technology. Lindsay Guzzo, Office of Water and which are directed at specific, cited
Dated: August 18, 2015. Watersheds; USEPA Region 10; 1200 6th permit requirements are appreciated.
Kimberly D. Bose, Ave., Suite 900, OWW–191; Seattle, After the expiration date of the Public
Washington 98101. Comments may also Notice on October 8, 2015, the Director,
Secretary.
be received via electronic mail at Office of Water and Watersheds, EPA
[FR Doc. 2015–20855 Filed 8–21–15; 8:45 am]
Guzzo.Lindsay@epa.gov. A copy of the Region 10, will make a final
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P determination with respect to issuance
permit and other support documents
can be found on the Region 10 Web site of the general permit. The proposed
at http://www.epa.gov/r10earth/ requirements contained in the draft
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION waterpermits.htm. general permit will become final upon
AGENCY issuance if no significant comments are
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: received during the public comment
[FRL–9932–96–Region 10] Lindsay Guzzo at Guzzo.Lindsay@ period.
epa.gov or (206) 553–0268. Requests
Proposed Issuance of the NPDES Public Hearing
may also be made to Audrey
General Permit for Offshore Seafood
Washington at (206) 553–0523 or Persons wishing to request a public
Processors in Federal Waters off the
Washington.Audrey@epa.gov. hearing should submit their written
Washington and Oregon Coast (Permit
Number WAG520000) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: request by October 8, 2015 stating the
nature of the issues to be raised as well
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Public Comment
as the requester’s name, address and
Agency (EPA). The draft general permit contains telephone number to Lindsay Guzzo at
ACTION: Notice of proposed issuance of technology-based effluent limitations, the address above. If a public hearing is
NPDES general permit and request for administrative and monitoring scheduled, notice will be published in
public comment. requirements, as well as other standard the Federal Register. Notice will also be
conditions, prohibitions, and posted on the Region 10 Web site, and
SUMMARY: The Director, Office of Water management practices. A fact sheet has will be mailed to all interested persons
and Watersheds, EPA Region 10, is been prepared which sets forth the receiving letters of the availability of the
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

proposing to issue a general National principle factual, legal, policy, and draft permit.
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System scientific information considered in the
(NPDES) permit for Offshore Seafood development of the draft general permit. Endangered Species Act
Processors discharging in Federal Copies of the draft general permit, fact Section 7 of the Endangered Species
Waters off the coasts of Washington and sheet, Biological Evaluation, Essential Act (ESA), 16 U.S.C. 1531–1544,
Oregon, pursuant to the provisions of Fish Habitat Assessment, and Ocean requires federal agencies to consult with
the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251, et Discharge Criteria Evaluation are the National Marine Fisheries Service

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51254 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 163 / Monday, August 24, 2015 / Notices

(NMFS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Regulatory Flexibility Act DATES: Additional comments may be
Service (USFWS) if their actions have Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act submitted on or before September 23,
the potential to either beneficially or (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., a federal 2015.
adversely affect any threatened or agency must prepare an initial ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
endangered species. To address these regulatory flexibility analysis ‘‘for any referencing Docket ID Number EPA–
ESA requirements, and in support of the proposed rule’’ for which the agency ‘‘is HQ–OAR–2007–0269, to (1) EPA online
EPA’s informal consultation with the required by section 553 of the using www.regulations.gov (our
Services, a Biological Evaluation (BE) Administrative Procedure Act (APA), or preferred method) or by mail to: EPA
was prepared to analyze these potential any other law, to publish general notice Docket Center, Environmental
effects. The results of the BE concluded of proposed rulemaking.’’ The RFA Protection Agency, Mail Code 28221T,
that discharges from Offshore Seafood exempts from this requirement any rule 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.,
Processing facilities will either have no that the issuing agency certifies ‘‘will Washington, DC 20460, and (2) OMB via
effect or are not likely to adversely affect not, if promulgated, have a significant email to oira_submission@omb.eop.gov.
threatened or endangered species in the economic impact on a substantial Address comments to OMB Desk Officer
vicinity of the discharges. The fact number of small entities.’’ The EPA has for EPA.
sheet, the draft permits and the BE are concluded that NPDES general permits EPA’s policy is that all comments
being sent to the Services for review of are permits, not rulemakings, under the received will be included in the public
consistency with those programs APA and thus not subject to APA docket without change including any
established for the conservation of rulemaking requirements or the FRA. personal information provided, unless
endangered and threatened species. Any the comment includes profanity, threats,
Dated: August 14, 2015.
additional comments or conservation information claimed to be Confidential
Daniel D. Opalski, Business Information (CBI) or other
recommendations received from the Director, Office of Water and Watersheds,
Services regarding threatened or information whose disclosure is
Region 10. restricted by statute.
endangered species will be considered [FR Doc. 2015–20902 Filed 8–21–15; 8:45 am]
prior to issuance of the general permit. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P Astrid Larsen, Transportation and
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Climate Division, State Measures and
Conservation and Management Act Transportation Planning Center,
Section 305(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Environmental Protection Agency, 2000
Act [16 U.S.C. 1855(b)] requires federal AGENCY Traverwood Drive, Ann Arbor, MI
agencies to consult with NOAA 48105; telephone number: 734–214–
Fisheries when any activity proposed to [EPA–HQ–OAR–2007–0269; FRL 9929–63– 4812; fax number: 734–214–4052; email
be permitted, funded, or undertaken by OEI] address: larsen.astrid@epa.gov.
a federal agency may have an adverse SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
effect on designated Essential Fish Information Collection Request
Submitted to OMB for Review and Supporting documents which explain
Habitat (EFH) as defined by the Act. To in detail the information that the EPA
address the requirements of the Approval; Comment Request;
Transportation Conformity will be collecting are available in the
Magnuson-Stevens Act, the EPA public docket for this ICR. The docket
Determinations for Federally Funded
prepared an EFH Assessment can be viewed online at
and Approved Transportation Plans,
concluding that offshore seafood www.regulations.gov or in person at the
Programs and Projects (Renewal)
processors operations may adversely EPA Docket Center, WJC West, Room
affect essential fish habitat. However, AGENCY: Environmental Protection 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW.,
the EPA expects that effects on essential Agency (EPA). Washington, DC. The telephone number
fish habitat, while possible, are likely to ACTION: Notice. for the Docket Center is 202–566–1744.
be limited in extent for several reasons. For additional information about EPA’s
For more information please see the SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection public docket, visit http://www.epa.gov/
Biological Evaluation/EFH assessment. Agency has submitted an information dockets.
Any additional comments or collection request (ICR), Abstract: Transportation conformity is
conservation recommendations received ‘‘Transportation Conformity required under Clean Air Act section
from NOAA Fisheries regarding EFH Determinations for Federally Funded 176(c) (42 U.S.C. 7506(c)) to ensure that
will be considered prior to issuance of and Approved Transportation Plans, federally supported transportation
the general permit. Programs and Projects (Renewal)’’ (EPA activities are consistent with the
ICR No. 2130.05, OMB Control No. purpose of the State Air Quality
Executive Order 12866 2060–0561) to the Office of Management Implementation plan (SIP).
and Budget (OMB) for review and Transportation activities include
The Office of Management and Budget
approval in accordance with the transportation plans, Transportation
(OMB) exempts this action from the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Improvement Programs (TIPs), and
review requirements of Executive Order
3501 et seq.). This is a proposed federally funded or approved highway
12866 pursuant to Section 6 of that extension of the ICR, which is approved or transit projects. Conformity to the
order. through August 31, 2015. Public purpose of the SIP means that
Paperwork Reduction Act comments were previously requested transportation activities will not cause
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

via the Federal Register (80 FR 9454) on or contribute to new air quality
The EPA has reviewed the February 23, 2015 during a 60-day violations, worsen existing violations, or
requirements imposed on regulated comment period. This notice allows for delay timely attainment of the relevant
facilities in the draft general permit and an additional 30 days for public National Ambient Air Quality Standards
finds them consistent with the comments. A fuller description of the (NAAQS) or interim milestones.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, 44 ICR is given below, including its Transportation conformity applies
U.S.C. 3501 et seq. estimated burden and cost to the public. under EPA’s conformity regulations at

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Document Created: 2015-12-15 10:54:48
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 10:54:48

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of proposed issuance of NPDES general permit and request for public comment.
Dates		The public comment period for the draft general permit will be from the date of publication of this Notice until October 8, 2015. Comments must be received or postmarked by no later than midnight Pacific Daylight Time on October 8, 2015. Persons wishing to request a public hearing should submit their written request by October 8, 2015.
Contact		Lindsay Guzzo at Guzzo[email protected] or (206) 553-0268. Requests may also be made to Audrey Washington at (206) 553-0523 or [email protected]
FR Citation		80 FR 51253