83_FR_42279 83 FR 42118 - Notice of Availability of Draft NPDES General Permits for Hydroelectric Generating Facilities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire: The HYDRO General Permit

83 FR 42118 - Notice of Availability of Draft NPDES General Permits for Hydroelectric Generating Facilities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire: The HYDRO General Permit

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 161 (August 20, 2018)

Page Range42118-42119
FR Document2018-17932

The Director of the Office of Ecosystem Protection, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)--Region 1, is providing a Notice of Availability of Draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permits for certain discharges from hydroelectric generating facilities to certain waters of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of New Hampshire. These Draft NPDES General Permits establish Notice of Intent (NOI), Notice of Change (NOC), and Notice of Termination (NOT) requirements, effluent limitations and requirements, standard conditions and best management practices (BMP) plan requirements for hydroelectric generating facilities that meet the eligibility criteria in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The Draft Permits will be available on EPA Region 1's website at https://www.epa.gov/npdes-permits/hydroelectric-generating- facilities-general-permit-hydrogp-massachusetts-new-hampshire. These General Permits will replace the HYDROGP that expired on December 7, 2014.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 161 (Monday, August 20, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 161 (Monday, August 20, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42118-42119]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17932]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9981-13-Region 1]


Notice of Availability of Draft NPDES General Permits for 
Hydroelectric Generating Facilities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire: 
The HYDRO General Permit

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability of draft NPDES General Permits MAG360000 
and NHG360000.

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SUMMARY: The Director of the Office of Ecosystem Protection, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)--Region 1, is providing a Notice 
of Availability of Draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination 
System (NPDES) General Permits for certain discharges from 
hydroelectric generating facilities to certain waters of the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of New Hampshire. These 
Draft NPDES General Permits establish Notice of Intent (NOI), Notice of 
Change (NOC), and Notice of Termination (NOT) requirements, effluent 
limitations and requirements, standard conditions and best management 
practices (BMP) plan requirements for hydroelectric generating 
facilities that meet the eligibility criteria in Massachusetts and New 
Hampshire. The Draft Permits will be available on EPA Region 1's 
website at https://www.epa.gov/npdes-permits/hydroelectric-generating-facilities-general-permit-hydrogp-massachusetts-new-hampshire. These 
General Permits will replace the HYDROGP that expired on December 7, 
2014.

DATES: Public comments must be received by October 19, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the Draft General Permits may be mailed 
to U.S. EPA Region 1, Office of Ecosystem Protection, Attn: George 
Papadopoulos, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100, Mail Code OEP-06-1, 
Boston, Massachusetts 0219-3912, or sent via email to: 
[email protected]. No facsimiles (faxes) will be accepted. 
The Draft HYDROGP is based on an administrative record available for 
review at EPA-Region 1, Office of Ecosystem Protection, 5 Post Office 
Square, Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts 02109-3912. A reasonable fee 
may be charged for copying requests. The Fact Sheet for the Draft 
General Permit sets forth principal facts and the significant factual, 
legal, methodological, and policy questions considered in the 
development of the Draft General Permit and is available upon request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information concerning the 
Draft General Permits may be obtained between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays from George 
Papadopoulos, U.S. EPA--Region 1, Office of Ecosystem Protection, 5 
Post Office Square--Suite 100, Mail Code OEP06-1, Boston, MA 02109-
3912; telephone: 617-918-1579; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Public Comment Information: Interested persons may submit written 
comments on the Draft General Permits to EPA-Region 1 at the address 
listed above. Within the comment period, interested persons may also 
request, in writing, that EPA hold a public hearing pursuant to 40 CFR 
124.12, concerning the Draft General Permits. Such requests shall state 
the nature of the issues proposed to be raised at the hearing. A public 
hearing may be held at least thirty (30) days after public notice 
whenever the Regional Administrator finds that response to this notice 
indicates significant public interest. In reaching a final decision on 
these Draft General Permits, the Regional Administrator will respond to 
all significant comments and make responses available to the public at 
EPA's Boston office. All comments and requests for public hearings must 
be postmarked or delivered by the close of the public comment period.
    General Information: EPA is reissuing two General Permits for the 
following discharges from hydroelectric generating facilities: (1) 
Equipment-related cooling water (both contact and non-contact), (2) 
equipment and floor drain water, (3) maintenance-related water from 
sump dewatering, (4) facility maintenance-related water during flood/
high water events, and (5) equipment-related backwash strainer water. 
The two General Permits are: MAG360000 for Massachusetts facilities and 
NHG360000 for New Hampshire facilities.
    While these are technically distinct permits, for convenience, they 
have been grouped into a single document and this document refers to 
the ``Permit'' in the singular. The Draft General Permit, appendices 
and attachments are available at https://www.epa.gov/npdes-permits/hydroelectric-generating-facilities-general-permit-hydrogp-massachusetts-new-hampshire.
    The Draft General Permit includes effluent limitations and 
requirements based on water quality considerations. The effluent limits 
established in the Draft General Permit ensure that the surface water 
quality standards of the receiving water(s) are attained and/or 
maintained. The permit also contains BMP plan requirements to ensure 
EPA has the information necessary to ensure compliance and to ensure 
discharges meet water quality standards.
    Obtaining Authorization: In order to obtain authorization to 
discharge, operators of existing discharges, including those facilities 
with coverage under the HYDROGP that expired on December 7, 2014 or 
with individual NPDES permits that meet the eligibility criteria of 
this General Permit and whose operators seek authorization under this 
General Permit, must file a new NOI found in Appendix 4 to EPA and the 
respective State for coverage within sixty (60) days of the effective 
date of this permit reissuance. Operators with new discharges must 
submit a NOI at least thirty (30) days prior to the commencement of 
discharges. EPA will authorize the discharge, request additional 
information, or require the operator to apply for an alternative permit 
or an individual permit. NOIs may be submitted electronically to EPA at 
[email protected] or sent via regular or overnight mail to: 
United States Environmental Protection Agency, EPA/OEP HYDROGP 
Applications Coordinator, 5 Post Office Square--Suite 100 (OEP06-1), 
Boston, Massachusetts 02109-3912. If required to do so, an operator 
must also submit a copy of the NOI to the Massachusetts Department of 
Environmental Protection or the New Hampshire Department of 
Environmental Services. An operator will be authorized to discharge 
under the General Permit upon the date

[[Page 42119]]

indicated in written notice from EPA following EPA's web posting of the 
submitted NOI.
    Other Legal Requirements: In accordance with the Endangered Species 
Act (ESA), EPA has updated the provisions and necessary actions and 
documentation related to potential impacts to endangered species from 
sites seeking coverage under the General Permit. Concurrently with the 
public notice of the Draft HYDROGP, EPA has submitted a letter to 
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) summarizing the results of 
EPA's assessment of the potential effects to endangered and threatened 
species and their critical habitats as a result of EPA's reissuance of 
the HYDROGP. In this document, EPA has concluded that the proposed 
reissuance of the HYDROGP is not likely to adversely affect (NLAA) the 
shortnose sturgeon, Atlantic sturgeon, or designated critical habitat 
for Atlantic sturgeon. EPA has requested that NMFS review this 
submittal and inform EPA whether it concurs with this preliminary 
finding.
    In the Fact Sheet accompanying the Draft HYDROGP, EPA seeks 
concurrence from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) regarding 
our determination of effect on endangered species under its 
jurisdiction. Based on other General Permit proceedings, EPA has 
tentatively determined that the Draft HYDROGP will have ``no effect.'' 
The reason for this determination is because each NOI that is submitted 
must assess site specific endangered species impacts using USFWS' 
Information, Planning, and Conservation (IPaC) website, available at 
https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/. By using this website, the applicant can 
either make a determination of impacts or if there are questions, seek 
input from USFWS directly. Since each NOI is individually screened 
prior to submission, EPA has tentatively determined that the Draft 
HYDROGP will have ``no effect.''
    National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA): In accordance with NHPA, 
EPA has established provisions and documentation requirements for sites 
seeking coverage under the General Permit to ensure that discharges or 
actions taken under this General Permit will not adversely affect 
historic properties and places.

    Authority:  This action is being taken under the Clean Water 
Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.

    Dated: July 10, 2018.
Alexandra Dapolito Dunn,
Regional Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018-17932 Filed 8-17-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

42118 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 161 / Monday, August 20, 2018 / Notices Total estimated burden: 2,910 hours DATES: Public comments must be non-contact), (2) equipment and floor (per year). Burden is defined at 5 CFR received by October 19, 2018. drain water, (3) maintenance-related 1320.3(b). ADDRESSES: Written comments on the water from sump dewatering, (4) facility Total estimated cost: $306,000 (per Draft General Permits may be mailed to maintenance-related water during flood/ year), which includes $0 for annualized U.S. EPA Region 1, Office of Ecosystem high water events, and (5) equipment- capital/startup and/or operation & Protection, Attn: George Papadopoulos, related backwash strainer water. The maintenance costs. 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100, Mail two General Permits are: MAG360000 Changes in the Estimates: There is an Code OEP–06–1, Boston, Massachusetts for Massachusetts facilities and increase in burden hours and number of 0219–3912, or sent via email to: NHG360000 for New Hampshire responses in this ICR compared to the Papadopoulos.george@epa.gov. No facilities. previous ICR. This increase is not due facsimiles (faxes) will be accepted. The While these are technically distinct to any program changes. The increase is Draft HYDROGP is based on an permits, for convenience, they have due to an increase in the number of administrative record available for been grouped into a single document affected sources subject to the rule review at EPA-Region 1, Office of and this document refers to the based on the latest available data, and Ecosystem Protection, 5 Post Office ‘‘Permit’’ in the singular. The Draft taking into account growth in this Square, Suite 100, Boston, General Permit, appendices and industry. Massachusetts 02109–3912. A attachments are available at https:// reasonable fee may be charged for www.epa.gov/npdes-permits/ Courtney Kerwin, hydroelectric-generating-facilities- copying requests. The Fact Sheet for the Director, Regulatory Support Division. general-permit-hydrogp-massachusetts- Draft General Permit sets forth principal [FR Doc. 2018–17876 Filed 8–17–18; 8:45 am] facts and the significant factual, legal, new-hampshire. BILLING CODE 6560–50–P The Draft General Permit includes methodological, and policy questions effluent limitations and requirements considered in the development of the based on water quality considerations. Draft General Permit and is available ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION The effluent limits established in the upon request. AGENCY Draft General Permit ensure that the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: surface water quality standards of the Additional information concerning the receiving water(s) are attained and/or [FRL–9981–13–Region 1] Draft General Permits may be obtained maintained. The permit also contains Notice of Availability of Draft NPDES between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. BMP plan requirements to ensure EPA General Permits for Hydroelectric Monday through Friday, excluding has the information necessary to ensure Generating Facilities in Massachusetts holidays from George Papadopoulos, compliance and to ensure discharges and New Hampshire: The HYDRO U.S. EPA—Region 1, Office of meet water quality standards. General Permit Ecosystem Protection, 5 Post Office Obtaining Authorization: In order to Square—Suite 100, Mail Code OEP06–1, obtain authorization to discharge, AGENCY: Environmental Protection Boston, MA 02109–3912; telephone: operators of existing discharges, Agency (EPA). 617–918–1579; email: including those facilities with coverage ACTION: Notice of availability of draft Papadopoulos.george@epa.gov. under the HYDROGP that expired on NPDES General Permits MAG360000 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: December 7, 2014 or with individual and NHG360000. Public Comment Information: NPDES permits that meet the eligibility Interested persons may submit written criteria of this General Permit and SUMMARY: The Director of the Office of comments on the Draft General Permits whose operators seek authorization Ecosystem Protection, U.S. to EPA-Region 1 at the address listed under this General Permit, must file a Environmental Protection Agency above. Within the comment period, new NOI found in Appendix 4 to EPA (EPA)—Region 1, is providing a Notice interested persons may also request, in and the respective State for coverage of Availability of Draft National writing, that EPA hold a public hearing within sixty (60) days of the effective Pollutant Discharge Elimination System pursuant to 40 CFR 124.12, concerning date of this permit reissuance. Operators (NPDES) General Permits for certain the Draft General Permits. Such requests with new discharges must submit a NOI discharges from hydroelectric shall state the nature of the issues at least thirty (30) days prior to the generating facilities to certain waters of proposed to be raised at the hearing. A commencement of discharges. EPA will the Commonwealth of Massachusetts public hearing may be held at least authorize the discharge, request and the State of New Hampshire. These thirty (30) days after public notice additional information, or require the Draft NPDES General Permits establish whenever the Regional Administrator operator to apply for an alternative Notice of Intent (NOI), Notice of Change finds that response to this notice permit or an individual permit. NOIs (NOC), and Notice of Termination indicates significant public interest. In may be submitted electronically to EPA (NOT) requirements, effluent limitations reaching a final decision on these Draft at Hydro.GeneralPermit@epa.gov or sent and requirements, standard conditions General Permits, the Regional via regular or overnight mail to: United and best management practices (BMP) Administrator will respond to all States Environmental Protection plan requirements for hydroelectric significant comments and make Agency, EPA/OEP HYDROGP generating facilities that meet the responses available to the public at Applications Coordinator, 5 Post Office eligibility criteria in Massachusetts and EPA’s Boston office. All comments and Square—Suite 100 (OEP06–1), Boston, New Hampshire. The Draft Permits will requests for public hearings must be Massachusetts 02109–3912. If required daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES be available on EPA Region 1’s website postmarked or delivered by the close of to do so, an operator must also submit at https://www.epa.gov/npdes-permits/ the public comment period. a copy of the NOI to the Massachusetts hydroelectric-generating-facilities- General Information: EPA is reissuing Department of Environmental Protection general-permit-hydrogp-massachusetts- two General Permits for the following or the New Hampshire Department of new-hampshire. These General Permits discharges from hydroelectric Environmental Services. An operator will replace the HYDROGP that expired generating facilities: (1) Equipment- will be authorized to discharge under on December 7, 2014. related cooling water (both contact and the General Permit upon the date VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:04 Aug 17, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\20AUN1.SGM 20AUN1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 161 / Monday, August 20, 2018 / Notices 42119 indicated in written notice from EPA In the Fact Sheet accompanying the Permit to ensure that discharges or following EPA’s web posting of the Draft HYDROGP, EPA seeks actions taken under this General Permit submitted NOI. concurrence from the U.S. Fish and will not adversely affect historic Other Legal Requirements: In Wildlife Service (USFWS) regarding our properties and places. accordance with the Endangered determination of effect on endangered Authority: This action is being taken Species Act (ESA), EPA has updated the species under its jurisdiction. Based on under the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251 provisions and necessary actions and other General Permit proceedings, EPA et seq. documentation related to potential has tentatively determined that the Draft impacts to endangered species from HYDROGP will have ‘‘no effect.’’ The Dated: July 10, 2018. sites seeking coverage under the General reason for this determination is because Alexandra Dapolito Dunn, Permit. Concurrently with the public each NOI that is submitted must assess Regional Administrator. notice of the Draft HYDROGP, EPA has site specific endangered species impacts [FR Doc. 2018–17932 Filed 8–17–18; 8:45 am] submitted a letter to National Marine using USFWS’ Information, Planning, BILLING CODE 6560–50–P Fisheries Service (NMFS) summarizing and Conservation (IPaC) website, the results of EPA’s assessment of the available at https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/. potential effects to endangered and By using this website, the applicant can threatened species and their critical either make a determination of impacts FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE habitats as a result of EPA’s reissuance or if there are questions, seek input from CORPORATION of the HYDROGP. In this document, USFWS directly. Since each NOI is EPA has concluded that the proposed individually screened prior to Notice to All Interested Parties of reissuance of the HYDROGP is not submission, EPA has tentatively Intent To Terminate Receiverships likely to adversely affect (NLAA) the determined that the Draft HYDROGP shortnose sturgeon, Atlantic sturgeon, or will have ‘‘no effect.’’ Notice is hereby given that the designated critical habitat for Atlantic National Historic Preservation Act Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation sturgeon. EPA has requested that NMFS (NHPA): In accordance with NHPA, (FDIC or Receiver), as Receiver for the review this submittal and inform EPA EPA has established provisions and institutions listed below, intends to whether it concurs with this documentation requirements for sites terminate its receivership for said preliminary finding. seeking coverage under the General institutions. NOTICE OF INTENT TO TERMINATE RECEIVERSHIPS Date of Fund Receivership name City State appointment of receiver 10458 ................................... Truman Bank ................................................................... Saint Louis ......................... MO 09/14/2012 10521 ................................... The Woodbury Banking Company .................................. Woodbury ........................... GA 08/19/2016 The liquidation of the assets for each Dated at Washington, DC, on August 15, comment on renewal of the information receivership has been completed. To the 2018. collections described below. extent permitted by available funds and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. DATES: Comments must be submitted on in accordance with law, the Receiver Robert E. Feldman, or before October 19, 2018. will be making a final dividend Executive Secretary. ADDRESSES: Interested parties are payment to proven creditors. [FR Doc. 2018–17914 Filed 8–17–18; 8:45 am] invited to submit written comments to Based upon the foregoing, the BILLING CODE 6714–01–P the FDIC by any of the following Receiver has determined that the methods: continued existence of the receiverships • Agency Website: https:// will serve no useful purpose. FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE www.FDIC.gov/regulations/laws/federal. Consequently, notice is given that the CORPORATION • Email: comments@fdic.gov. Include receiverships shall be terminated, to be the name and number of the collection Agency Information Collection in the subject line of the message. effective no sooner than thirty days after Activities: Proposed Collection the date of this notice. If any person • Mail: Manny Cabeza (202–898– Renewal; Comment Request (OMB No. 3767), Counsel, MB–3007, Federal wishes to comment concerning the 3064–021; and –0135) termination of any of the receiverships, Deposit Insurance Corporation, 550 17th such comment must be made in writing, Street NW, Washington, DC 20429. AGENCY: Federal Deposit Insurance • Hand Delivery: Comments may be identify the receivership to which the Corporation (FDIC). hand-delivered to the guard station at comment pertains, and be sent within ACTION: Notice and request for comment. the rear of the 17th Street Building thirty days of the date of this notice to: (located on F Street), on business days Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, SUMMARY: The FDIC, as part of its between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Division of Resolutions and continuing effort to reduce paperwork All comments should refer to the daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Receiverships, Attention: Receivership and respondent burden, invites the appropriate OMB control number Oversight Department 34.6, 1601 Bryan general public and other Federal referenced in the Supplementary Street, Dallas, TX 75201. agencies to take this opportunity to Information section below. A copy of No comments concerning the comment on the renewal of existing the comments may also be submitted to termination of the above-mentioned information collections, as required by the OMB desk officer for the FDIC: receiverships will be considered which the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Office of Information and Regulatory are not sent within this time frame. (PRA). Currently, the FDIC is soliciting Affairs, Office of Management and VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:04 Aug 17, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\20AUN1.SGM 20AUN1


Document Created: 2018-08-18 01:28:34
Document Modified: 2018-08-18 01:28:34
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of availability of draft NPDES General Permits MAG360000 and NHG360000.
DatesPublic comments must be received by October 19, 2018.
ContactAdditional information concerning the Draft General Permits may be obtained between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays from George Papadopoulos, U.S. EPA--Region 1, Office of Ecosystem Protection, 5 Post Office Square--Suite 100, Mail Code OEP06-1, Boston, MA 02109- 3912; telephone: 617-918-1579; email: [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 42118 
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