96-18168. Notice of Proposed NPDES General Permits for Discharges Resulting From Implementing Corrective Action Plans for Cleanup of Petroleum UST Systems in Texas (TXG830000), Louisiana (LAG830000), Oklahoma (OKG830000) and New Mexico (NMG830000)  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 141 (Monday, July 22, 1996)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 37894-37896]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-18168]
    
    
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    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    [FRL-5539-4]
    
    
    Notice of Proposed NPDES General Permits for Discharges Resulting 
    From Implementing Corrective Action Plans for Cleanup of Petroleum UST 
    Systems in Texas (TXG830000), Louisiana (LAG830000), Oklahoma 
    (OKG830000) and New Mexico (NMG830000)
    
    AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
    
    ACTION: Notice of draft NPDES general permits.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: EPA Region 6 is proposing to issue general NPDES permits 
    authorizing discharges resulting from implementing Corrective Action 
    Plans for the cleanup of Petroleum UST Systems in Texas, Louisiana, 
    Oklahoma and New Mexico. A Petroleum UST System is an underground 
    storage tank system that contains petroleum or a mixture of petroleum 
    with de minimis quantities of other regulated substances. Such systems 
    include those containing motor fuels, jet fuels, distillate fuel oils, 
    residual fuel oils, lubricants, petroleum solvents and used oils. As 
    proposed, the permits place limits on benzene, Total BTEX and pH for 
    all discharges, as well as limits on polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons 
    (PAH) for discharges from cleanups of Petroleum UST Systems other than 
    gasoline, jet fuel and kerosene. Additional limits include those on 
    lead and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons in the Texas permit, lead and TOC 
    in the Louisiana permit, Total Organic Carbon and Total Phenols in the 
    Oklahoma permit, and lead, Chemical Oxygen Demand, No Visible Oil 
    Sheen, as well as a biomonitoring requirement, in the New Mexico 
    permit.
    
    DATES: Comments on these proposed permits must be submitted by 
    September 20, 1996.
    
    ADDRESSES: Comments on these proposed permits should be sent to the 
    Regional Administrator, EPA Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 
    75202-2733.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Ellen Caldwell, EPA Region 6 1445 
    Ross Avenue, Dallas Texas 75202-2733, telephone (214) 665-7513.
        Copies of the draft permits and/or an explanatory fact sheet may be 
    obtained from Ms. Caldwell. In addition, the current administrative 
    record on the proposal is available for examination at the Region's 
    Dallas offices during normal working hours after providing Ms. Caldwell 
    24 hours advanced notice.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulated categories and entities include:
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Category                  Examples of regulated entities   
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Industry..........................  Operators of facilities discharging 
                                         waste waters resulting from the    
                                         cleanup of underground storage tank
                                         systems that contain petroleum     
                                         substances, such as motor fuels,   
                                         jet fuels and fuel oils.           
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        This table is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a 
    guide for readers regarding entities likely to be regulated by this 
    action. This table lists the types of entities that EPA is now aware 
    could potentially be regulated by this action. Other types of entities 
    not listed in the table could also be regulated. To determine whether 
    your (facility, company, business, organization, etc.) is regulated by 
    this action, you should carefully examine the applicability criteria in 
    Part I, Section A.1 of these permits. If you have questions regarding 
    the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the 
    person listed in the preceding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
        Section 301(a) of the Clean Water Act (CWA or the Act), 33 U.S.C. 
    1311(a), makes it unlawful to discharge pollutants to waters of the 
    United States in the absence of authorizing permits. CWA section 402, 
    33 U.S.C. 1342, authorizes EPA to issue National Discharge Elimination 
    System (NPDES) permits allowing discharges on condition they will meet 
    certain requirements, including CWA sections 301, 304, and 401 (33 
    U.S.C. 1331, 1314 and 1341). Those statutory provisions require that 
    NPDES permits include effluent limitations requiring that authorized 
    discharges: (1) meet standards reflecting levels of technological 
    capability, (2) comply with EPA-approved state water quality standards 
    and (3) comply with other state requirements adopted under authority 
    retained by states under CWA 510, 33 U.S.C. 1370.
        Two types of technology-based effluent limitations must be included 
    in the permits proposed here. With regard to conventional pollutants, 
    i.e., pH, BOD, oil and grease, TSS and fecal coliform, CWA section 301 
    (b)(1)(E) requires effluent limitations based on ``best conventional 
    pollution control technology'' (BCT). With regard to nonconventional 
    and toxic pollutants, CWA section 301(b)(2) (A), (C), and (D) require 
    effluent limitations based on ``best available pollution control 
    technology economically achievable'' (BAT), a standard which generally 
    represents the best performing existing technology in an industrial 
    category or subcategory. BAT and BCT effluent limitations may never be 
    less stringent than corresponding effluent limitations based on best 
    practicable control technology (BPT), a standard applicable to similar 
    discharges prior to March 31, 1989 under CWA 301(b)(1)(A).
        National guidelines establishing BPT, BCT and BAT standards have 
    not been promulgated for discharges from Petroleum UST System cleanups. 
    The BCT and BAT requirements for these discharges have, therefore, been 
    established using best professional judgement, as required by CWA 
    section 402(a)(1). EPA Office of Water Enforcement and Permits and 
    Office of Underground Storage Tanks has developed and issued ``Model 
    NPDES Permit for Discharges Resulting from the Cleanup of Gasoline 
    Released from Underground Storage Tanks'', July 11, 1989. That model 
    permit and fact sheet established treatment technologies, treatment 
    costs, parameters to be limited and permit limits for discharges 
    resulting from the cleanup of gasoline released from underground 
    storage tanks. The information contained in that model permit and fact 
    sheet has been used to establish BCT and BAT permit requirements for 
    the NPDES general permits being proposed today for discharges resulting 
    from cleanup of Petroleum UST Systems.
        The following limits are proposed:
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Daily average                  Daily maximum       
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Texas (TXG830000)                                               
                                                                                                                    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Benzene............................................  5 g/l (1)...........  5g/l (1).          
    Total BTEX.........................................  100 g/l.............  100 g/l.           
    Total petroleum hydrocarbons.......................  15 mg/l......................  15 mg/l.                    
    Total lead.........................................  250 g/l.............  250 g/l.           
    
    [[Page 37895]]
    
                                                                                                                    
    Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons..................  10 g/l (2)..........  10 g/l (2).        
        pH 6.0--9.0 std. units                                                                                      
                                                                                                                    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Louisiana (LAG830000)                                             
                                                                                                                    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Benzene............................................  5 g/l (1)...........  5 g/l (1).         
    Total BTEX.........................................  100 g/l.............  100 g/l.           
    Total lead.........................................  50 g/l..............  50 g/l.            
    TOC................................................  50 mg/l......................  50 mg/l.                    
    Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons..................  10 g/l (2)..........  10 g/l (2).        
        pH 6.0--9.0 std. units                                                                                      
                                                                                                                    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Oklahoma (OKG830000)                                              
                                                                                                                    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Benzene............................................  5 g/l (1)...........  5 g/l (1).         
    Total BTEX.........................................  100 g/l.............  100 g/l.           
    Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons..................  10 g/l (2)..........  10 g/l (2).        
    Total phenols......................................  0.15 mg/l....................  0.25 mg/l.                  
    Total organic carbon...............................  75 mg/l......................  95 mg/l.                    
        pH 6.5--9.0 std. units                                                                                      
                                                                                                                    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  New Mexico (NMG83000)                                             
                                                                                                                    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Benzene............................................  5 g/l (1)...........  5 g/l (1).         
    Total BTEX.........................................  100 g/l.............  100 g/l.           
    Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons..................  10 g/l (2)..........  10 g/l (2).        
        pH 6.0--9.0 std. units                                                                                      
    Chemical oxygen demand (COD).......................  125 mg/l.....................  125 mg/l.                   
    Total lead.........................................  50 g/l..............  50 g/l.            
        No visible oil sheen                                                                                        
    Biomonitoring (48 hour acute)......................             monitor             ............................
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
        (1) For Discharge Monitoring Report calculations and reporting 
    requirements for benzene, analytical test results less than 10 
    g/l may be reported as zero.
        (2) The Daily Max limit and monitoring requirement for PAH's do not 
    apply to discharges from the cleanup of Petroleum UST Systems 
    containing only gasoline, jet fuel and/or kerosene. The daily max value 
    of any of the following PAH's shall not exceed 10 g/l: 
    acenaphthene, acenaphthylene, anthracene, benzo(a)anthracene, 
    benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(ghi)perylene, 
    benzo(a)pyrene, chrysene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, fluoranthene, 
    fluorene, indeno(1,2,3,cd)pyrene, naphthalene, phenanthrene, pyrene.
    
    Other Legal Requirements
    
    A. State Certification
    
        Under section 401(a)(1) of the Act, EPA may not issue an NPDES 
    permit until the State in which the discharge will originate grants or 
    waives certification to ensure compliance with appropriate requirements 
    of the Act and State law. Section 301(b)(1)(C) of the Act requires that 
    NPDES permits contain conditions that ensure compliance with applicable 
    state water quality standards or limitations. The proposed permits 
    contain limitations intended to ensure compliance with state water 
    quality standards and has been determined by EPA Region 6 to be 
    consistent with the applicable state's water quality standards and the 
    corresponding implementation plans. The Region has solicited 
    certification from the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission 
    for TXG830000, the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources for 
    LAG830000, the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality for 
    OKG830000 and the New Mexico Environment Department for NMG830000.
    
    B. Endangered Species Act
    
        The proposed limits are sufficiently stringent to assure state 
    water quality standards, both for aquatic life protection and human 
    health protection, will be met. The effluent limitations established in 
    these permits ensure protection of aquatic life and maintenance of the 
    receiving water as an aquatic habitat. The Region finds that adoption 
    of the proposed permits is unlikely to adversely affect any threatened 
    or endangered species or its critical habitat. EPA is seeking written 
    concurrence from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and 
    National Marine Fisheries Service on this determination.
    
    C. Historic Preservation Act
    
        Facilities which adversely affect properties listed or eligible for 
    listing in the National Register of Historical Places are not 
    authorized to discharge under this permit.
    
    D. Executive Order 12866
    
        The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted this action 
    from the review requirements of Executive Order 12866.
    
    E. Paperwork Reduction Act
    
        The information collection required by this permit has been 
    approved by OMB under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 
    U.S.C. 3501 et seq., in submission made for the NPDES permit program 
    and assigned OMB control numbers 2040-0086 (NPDES permit application) 
    and 2040-0004 (discharge monitoring reports).
    
    F. Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        The Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 USC 601 et seq, requires that EPA 
    prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis for regulations that have a 
    significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. As 
    discussed previously in this Fact Sheet, compliance with the permit 
    requirements will not result in a significant impact on dischargers, 
    including small businesses, covered by
    
    [[Page 37896]]
    
    these permits. This lack of significant impact is due, in part, to the 
    State Reimbursement Fund's reimbursement to the discharger of all NPDES 
    permit compliance costs, except for a small deductible amount. EPA 
    Region 6 therefore certifies, pursuant to the provisions of 5 USC 
    605(b), that the permits proposed today will not have a significant 
    impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    
        Dated: July 10, 1996.
    William B. Hathaway,
    Director, Water Quality Protection Division, EPA Region 6.
    [FR Doc. 96-18168 Filed 7-19-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
07/22/1996
Department:
Environmental Protection Agency
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice of draft NPDES general permits.
Document Number:
96-18168
Dates:
Comments on these proposed permits must be submitted by September 20, 1996.
Pages:
37894-37896 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
FRL-5539-4
PDF File:
96-18168.pdf