00-960. Proposed Reissuance of General NPDES Permits (GP) for Alaskan Mechanical Placer Mining (Permit Number AKG-37-0000) and Alaskan Medium-Size Suction Dredging (Permit Number AKG-37-1000)

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 10 (Friday, January 14, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 2400]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-960]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6523-5]


Proposed Reissuance of General NPDES Permits (GP) for Alaskan 
Mechanical Placer Mining (Permit Number AKG-37-0000) and Alaskan 
Medium-Size Suction Dredging (Permit Number AKG-37-1000)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of proposed reissuance of two general permits.

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SUMMARY: On June 30, 1999, two general permits regulating the 
activities of mechanical placer mining and suction dredge mining for 
gold placer mining operations in the State of Alaska expired. EPA 
proposes to reissue these two general permits with minor changes based 
on updated information relating to the impact of such mining activity 
on the environment. EPA is proposing to make these permits effective 
some time after the 2000 mining season and at the same time revoking 
coverage under the 1994 modified general permits. This is also notice 
of EPA's issuance of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI) for 
NPDES permit AKG-37-0000.

DATES: Interested persons may submit comments on the proposed 
reissuance of the GPs to EPA, Region 10 at the address below. Comments 
must be received by March 14, 2000. Public Hearings are scheduled in 
Anchorage and Fairbanks. The Anchorage hearing will be held on February 
29, 2000, from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm. The Fairbanks hearing will be 
held on March 7, 2000, from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed General Permits and the Finding of 
No Significant Impact should be sent to Director, Office of Water; 
USEPA Region 10; 1200 Sixth Avenue, OW-135; Seattle, Washington 98101. 
The Anchorage public hearing will be held at the Days Inn Conference 
Center, 330 E. 4th Avenue. The Fairbanks public hearing will be held at 
the Carlson Center, 2010 Second Avenue, Pioneer Room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of the Proposed General Permits 
and Fact Sheets are available upon request. The General Permits and 
Fact Sheets may be found on the Region 10 website at www.epa.gov/
r10earth/offices/water/npdes.html Requests may be made to Audrey 
Washington at [phone] or to Cindi Godsey at [phone] or 
electronically mailed to: [e-mail] or 
[e-mail]

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 
reissuance of these GPs will not have a significant impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. Moreover, the permit reduces a 
significant administrative burden on regulated sources.

    Dated: January 7, 2000.
Randall F. Smith,
Director, Office of Water, Region 10.
[FR Doc. 00-960 Filed 1-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P