[Federal Register: May 21, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 98)]
[Notices]
[Page 27806-27807]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21my03-38]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-7501-6]
Proposed Reissuance of a General NPDES Permit for Facilities
Related to Oil and Gas Extraction on the North Slope of the Brooks
Range, AK (Permit Number AKG-33-0000 Formerly AKG-31-0000)
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of proposed reissuance of a general permit.
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SUMMARY: On April 10, 2002, the general permit regulating activities
related to the extraction of oil and gas on the North Slope of the
Brooks Range in the state of Alaska expired. This proposed reissuance
of a general permit is intended to regulate activities related to the
extraction of oil and gas on the North Slope of the Brooks Range in the
state of Alaska. The proposed general permit would cover the same
discharges as the previous general permit: domestic wastewater
discharges, gravel pit dewatering, construction dewatering, and
hydrostatic test water. The proposed reissuance also includes two new
outfall designations for the discharge of storm water from industrial
activities and discharges of treated effluent from mobile spill
response units. When issued, the proposed permit will establish
effluent limitations, standards, prohibitions and other conditions on
discharges from covered facilities. These conditions are based on
existing national effluent guidelines, the state of Alaska's Water
Quality Standards and material contained in the administrative record.
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 EPA's issuance of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI) coverage
under this GP for the new source facility, BP Exploration (Alaska),
Inc.'s Badami facility covered by NPDES permit AKG-31-0001 which will
be reauthorized with the number AKG-33-0001.
DATES: Interested persons may submit comments on the proposed
reissuance of the general permit to EPA, Region 10 at the address
below. Comments must be postmarked by July 7, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed general permit reissuance should be
sent to the attention of the Director, Office of Water, 1200 Sixth
Avenue OW-130, Seattle, Washington 98101. Comments may also be
submitted electronically to godsey.cindi@epa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of the proposed general permit
and Fact Sheet are available upon request. Requests may be made to
Audrey Washington at (206) 553-0523 or to Cindi Godsey at (907) 271-
6561. Requests may also be electronically mailed to:
washington.audrey@epa.gov or godsey.cindi@epa.gov.
The proposed general permit and Fact Sheet may also be found on the
EPA Region 10 Web site at www.epa.gov/r10earth/water.htm then click on
NPDES permits under Programs and draft permits under EPA Region 10
Information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Executive Order 12866: The Office of
Management and Budget has exempted this action from the review
requirements of Executive Order 12866 pursuant to section 6 of that
order.
Regulatory Flexibility Act: After review of the facts presented in
the notice printed above, I hereby certify pursuant to the provision of
5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this proposed general NPDES permit will not have a
significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. Moreover,
the permit reduces a significant administrative burden on regulated
sources.
[[Page 27807]]
Dated: May 12, 2003.
Randall F. Smith,
Director, Office of Water, Region 10.
[FR Doc. 03-12764 Filed 5-20-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P