83 FR 18555 - Proposed Issuance of NPDES General Permit for Hydroelectric Facilities Within the State of Idaho (IDG360000)

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 82 (April 27, 2018)

The Director, Office of Water and Watersheds, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10, is proposing to issue a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permits for Hydroelectric Facilities discharging to waters within the State of Idaho (Permit No. IDG360000). As proposed, the hydroelectric general permit would protect surface waters from discharges of oil, grease and alterations to pH from facility and equipment outfalls and minimize the impacts of the cooling water intake structures to fish and aquatic organisms.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 82 (Friday, April 27, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 18555]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-08968]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9977-16-Region 10]


Proposed Issuance of NPDES General Permit for Hydroelectric 
Facilities Within the State of Idaho (IDG360000)

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, Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10, is proposing to issue a National 
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permits for 
Hydroelectric Facilities discharging to waters within the State of 
Idaho (Permit No. IDG360000). As proposed, the hydroelectric general 
permit would protect surface waters from discharges of oil, grease and 
alterations to pH from facility and equipment outfalls and minimize the 
impacts of the cooling water intake structures to fish and aquatic 
organisms.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 11, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the draft General Permit should be sent to 
Director, Office of Water and Watersheds; USEPA Region 10; 1200 Sixth 
Avenue, Suite 155, OWW-191; Seattle, WA 98101 and may also be submitted 
by fax to (206) 553-1280 or electronically to [email protected].
    Comments on the draft 401Certification should be sent to Loren 
Moore, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, 1410 N. Hilton, 
Boise, Idaho 83706 or electronically to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Permit documents may be found on the 
EPA Region 10 website at: https://www.epa.gov/npdes-permits/draft-npdes-general-permit-hydroelectric-generating-facilities-idaho. Copies 
of the draft general permit and Fact Sheet are also available upon 
request. Requests may be made to Audrey Washington at (206) 553-0523 or 
to Dru Keenan at (206) 553-1219. Requests may also be electronically 
mailed to: [email protected], or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. General Information

    As proposed, the hydroelectric general permit would authorize five 
types of discharges from hydroelectric facilities: Equipment related 
cooling water, equipment and floor drain water, certain maintenance 
related waters, maintenance-related water during flood/high water 
events and backwash strainer water, and combinations of the preceding 
discharges. The general permit establishes notification requirements, 
permit eligibility requirements, effluent limitations, standards, 
prohibitions, best management practice plans, and impingement and 
entrainment prevention plans per 316(b) of the CWA. A description of 
the basis for the conditions and requirements of the draft general 
permit is given in the Fact Sheet. Owners and/or operators of 
hydroelectric generating facilities with these discharges, including 
those facilities currently authorized to discharge under individual 
permits, are eligible to apply for coverage. Facilities will receive a 
written notification from the EPA whether permit coverage and 
authorization to discharge under the general permit is approved. The 
general permit does not cover new sources as defined under 40 CFR 
122.2.

II. 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 under Executive Orders 12866, Regulatory Planning and 
Review, and 13563, Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review. State 
certification under section 401 of the CWA, compliance with Endangered 
Species Act, Essential Fish Habitat, Paperwork Reduction Act, and other 
requirements are discussed in the Fact Sheet to the proposed permit.

    Dated: April 13, 2018.
Daniel D. Opalski,
Director, Office of Water and Watersheds, Region 10.
[FR Doc. 2018-08968 Filed 4-26-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P