[Federal Register: December 3, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 232)]
[Notices]
[Page 67674]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03de03-57]
[[Page 67674]]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-7593-1]
Final Reissuance of a General NPDES Permit for Facilities Related
to Oil and Gas Extraction on the North Slope of the Brooks Range,
Alaska--Permit Number AKG-33-0000
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Final Notice of reissuance of a general permit.
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SUMMARY: On April 10, 2002, the general permit (GP) regulating
activities related to the extraction of oil and gas on the North Slope
of the Brooks Range in the state of Alaska expired. On May 24, 2003,
EPA proposed to reissue this GP. There was a 45 day comment period.
During the comment period, EPA received 5 comment letters on the GP. A
Response to Comments was prepared for the GP. The Response to Comments
also addresses comments made on the Finding of No Significant Impact
(FNSI) coverage under this GP for the new source facility, BP
Exploration (Alaska), Inc.'s Badami. Upon submission of a new Notice of
Intent (NOI), Badami will be reauthorized with the number AKG-33-0001.
An NOI must be submitted before EPA will authorize coverage under this
GP.
DATES: The GP will be effective January 2, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the GP and Response to Comments are available upon
request. Written requests may be submitted to EPA, Region 10, 1200
Sixth Avenue OW-130, Seattle, WA 98101. Electronic requests may be mailed to: washington.audrey@epa.gov or godsey.cindi@epa.gov..
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of the GP, Fact Sheet and
Response to Comments 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
These documents may also be found on the EPA Region 10 Web site at
http://www.epa.gov/r10earth/ then click on Water Quality, Permits (under
NPDES) and then on recently issued 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.
The state of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation
(ADEC), on November 19, 2003, has certified that the subject discharges
comply with the applicable provisions of sections 208(e), 301, 302, 306
and 307 of the Clean Water Act.
The state of Alaska, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Office
of Project Management and Permitting (OPMP), has conducted a review for
consistency with the Alaska Coastal Management Program (ACMP) and on
July 22, 2003, agreed with EPA's determination that the general permit
is consistent with the Alaska Coastal Management Program (ACMP).
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.'' EPA has concluded that NPDES general
permits are permits, not rulemakings, under the APA and thus not
subject to APA rulemaking requirements or the RFA. Notwithstanding that
general permits are not subject to the RFA, EPA has determined that
this GP, as issued, will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
Dated: November 20, 2003.
Robert R. Robichaud,
Acting Associate Director, Office of Water, Region 10, Environmental
Protection Agency.
[FR Doc. 03-30046 Filed 12-2-03; 8:45 am]
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