EPA Proposes Issuance of NPDES Permits for Municipal Stormwater Discharges to Chena River in Fairbanks, Alaska. Comment Period Ends on December 2, 2004
PUBLIC NOTICE
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Region 10
Park Place Building, 13th Floor
1200 Sixth Avenue, OW-130
Seattle, Washington 98101
(206) 553-0523
1-800-424-4372 (within Region 10 only)
NOTICE OF PROPOSED ISSUANCE OF TWO (2) NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES)
PERMITS TO DISCHARGE STORM WATER TO WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES,
and
NOTICE OF STATE CERTIFICATIONS
Technical Contact: Misha Vakoc
(206) 553-6650 or toll free 1-800-424-4372, extension 6650
Public Notice Issuance Date: October 18, 2004
Public Notice Expiration Date: December 2, 2004
1. Applicants
a) A joint permit application was submitted by:
City of Fairbanks
2121 Peger Road
Fairbanks, AK 99709
City of North Pole
125 Snowman Lane
North Pole, AK 99705
University of Alaska - Fairbanks
P.O. Box 757380
Fairbanks, AK 99775
Alaska Dept of Transportation & Public Facilities, Northern Regional Office
2301 Peger Road
Fairbanks, AK 99709
Permit Number: AKS-053406
The organizations listed above own and operate municipal storm sewer systems in the greater Fairbanks urbanized area. These storm water conveyance systems are comprised of subsurface storm sewers, roadside ditches and surface streets, providing drainage for approximately 14.4 square miles and 610 miles of roads and highways within the organization’s respective jurisdiction. Storm water runoff from these systems discharges to the Chena River, Chena Slough, Noyes Slough and other nearby water bodies. A Fact Sheet is available.
b) A permit application was submitted by:
Fairbanks North Star Borough
Direct Services - Rural Services
P.O. Box 71267
Fairbanks, Alaska 99707-1267
Permit No: AKS-053414
Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) owns and operates a municipal storm sewer system in the greater Fairbanks urbanized area, comprised of roadside ditches and surface streets located within approximately 40 Borough-supervised Service Areas and other FNSB-owned land. The system drains approximately 28 square miles of land. Those portions of the system which receive flows of storm runoff discharge to the Chena River, Chena Slough, Noyes Slough and other nearby bodies of water. A Fact Sheet is available.
2. Tentative Determination
The Region 10 Office of EPA has tentatively determined to issue two discharge permits to the above listed applicants.
3. State Certification
This Notice also announces Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s intent to consider certifying that the subject discharges will comply with the applicable provisions of Sections 208(e), 301, 302, 303, 306 and 307 of the Clean Water Act. EPA may not issue these permits until the state has issued, denied, or waived certification. The State of Alaska has provided draft certifications for both proposed permits, copies of which are contained in Appendix C of the respective draft Fact Sheets.
4. Public Comments
Persons wishing to comment on the tentative determinations contained in the draft permits or wishing to request that a public hearing be held, may do so in writing to the above address or by e-mail to vakoc.misha@epa.gov no later 45 days from the date of this public notice. A request for a public hearing shall state the nature of the issues to be raised as they relate to the permit(s), as well as the requester's name, address and telephone number. Comments must be received within the 45 day comment period to be considered in the formulation of final determinations regarding the applications. All comments should include the name, address and telephone number of the commenter and a concise statement of the exact basis of any comment and the relevant facts upon which it is based.
All written comments and requests should be submitted to EPA at the above address to the attention of the Director, Office of Water and Watersheds.
Persons wishing to comment on State Certifications should submit written comments during the 45 day comment period to:
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Water Division
Non-Point Source Water Pollution Control
Attention: Ms. Mel Langdon
555 Cordova Street
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
5. Administrative Record
EPA Alaska Operations Office
Room 537, Federal Building
222 West 7th Avenue, #19
Anchorage, Alaska 99513
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
Water Division, Non-Point Source Water Pollution Control
601 University Avenue
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
Disability Reasonable Accommodation Notice:
If you need a reasonable accommodation for a disability, please contact Misha Vakoc at 206-553-6650 (voice). TTY/TDD user please dial Washington Relay Service at 1 (800) 833-6388. Please provide one week advance notice for special requests not related to ongoing programs and services.