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FACT SHEET FOR DRAFT STATE WASTE DISCHARGE PERMIT NO. ST 4510
ISSUED TO UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY RICHLAND OPERATIONS OFFICE RICHLAND, WASHINGTON
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BY STATE OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY KENNEWICK, WASHINGTON
FED 1999
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Fact Sheet Permit No. ST 4510 Page 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page 1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................3 2.0 GENERAL INFORMATION ...............................................................................................3 3.0 BACKGROUND INFORMATION .....................................................................................4 4.0 DESCRIPTION OF PROCESSES .......................................................................................5 5.0 SITE DESCRIPTION ...........................................................................................................7 6.0 PROPOSED CONDITIONS .................................................................................................9 7.0 MONITORING AND REPORTING ....................................................................................12 8.0 GENUJZAL CONDITIONS ..................................................................................................13 9.0 PERMIT STATUS ................................................................................................................14 10.0 STATE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (SEPA) COMPLIANCE ............................14 11.0 PERMIT ISSUANCE PROCEDURES .............................................................................. 14 APPENDIXA--REFERENCES ..................................................................................................16 APPENDIXB--PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT INFORMATION ..................................................18 APPENDIXC--GLOSSARY ......................................................................................................19 APPENDIXD--RESPONSE TO COMMENTS .........................................................................21
Fact Sheet Permit No. ST 4510 Page 3
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This fact sheet is a companion document to the draft State Waste Discharge Permit No. ST 4510. The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) is proposing to issue this permit to the U.S. Department of Energy, Richland Operations Office (Permittee), which will allow discharge of wastewater to the ground and ground waters of the State of Washington. This fact sheet explains the nature of the proposed discharge, Ecology's decisions on limiting the pollutants in the wastewater, and the regulatory and technical basis for those decisions. Washington State law (RCW 90.48.080 and 90.48.162) requires that a permit be issued before discharge of wastewater to waters of the state is allowed. Regulations adopted by the State include procedures for issuing permits (Chapter 173-216 WAC), and water quality criteria for ground waters (Chapter 173-200 WAC). They also establish requirements which are to be included in the permit. This fact sheet and draft permit are available for review by interested persons as described in Appendix B--Public Involvement Information. The fact sheet and draft permit have been reviewed by Ecology and by the Permittee. Errors and omissions identified in these reviews have been corrected before going to public notice. After the public comment period has closed, Ecology will summarize the substantive comments and the response to each comment. The summary and response to comments will become part of the file on the permit and parties submitting comments will receive a copy of Ecology's response. The fact sheet will not be revised. Changes to the permit will be addressed in Appendix D-Response to Comments.
2.0 GENERAL INFORMATION
Applicant: Facility Name and Address:
United States Department of Energy, Richland Operations Office Hanford Site P.O. Box 550 Richland, Washington 99352 Industrial Stormwater Discharges to Engineered Land Disposal Structures
Type of Facility:
Discharge Location: Hanford Site (All areas controlled by the Permittee)
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Contact:
Alex Teimouri Permits and Compliance Assessment Environmental Assurance, Permits and Policy Division U.S. Department of Energy, Richland Operations Office (509) 376 -6222 J.E. Rassmussen, Director Environmental Assurance, Permits and Policy Division U.S. Department of Energy, Richland Operations Office (509)376-5441
Responsible Official:
3.0 BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On December 23, 1991, the Permittee and Ecology agreed to . adhere to the provisions of the Department of Ecology Consent Order No. DE 91NM-177 (Consent Order). The Consent Order lists regulatory milestones for liquid effluent streams at the Hanford Site and requires compliance with the permitting requirements of Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 173-216 or WAC 173-218 where applicable. Hanford Site liquid effluent streams discharging to the soil column and ground water were categorized in the Consent Order as Phase I Streams, Phase II Streams, and Miscellaneous Streams. Phase I and Phase 11 Streams were streams identified as contaminated or potentially contaminated. Miscellaneous Streams are those liquid effluent streams discharged to the ground that were not categorized as Phase I or Phase II Streams. Miscellaneous Streams discharging to the soil column and ground water on the Hanford Site are subject to the requirements of several milestones identified in the Consent Order. The Plan and Schedule for Disposition and Regulatory Compliance for Miscellaneous Streams (DOE/RL-9394, Rev. 1) (Plan and Schedule) provides a plan and schedule for the disposition of Miscellaneous Streams to satisfy one of the Consent Order requirements. The disposition of Miscellaneous Streams is based on compliance with the Hanford Federal Agreement and Consent Order (Tri-Party Agreement), the Consent Order, WAC 173-216, WAC 173-218, WAC 173-200, and RCW 90.48. To facilitate the permitting process the Plan and Schedule divided most of the Miscellaneous Streams into four separate categories. Each category of similar streams has been permitted as a group. One categorical permit application has been submitted for each of the categories. One
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application was due each year, starting in 1995. The first of the applications was submitted as planned, and State Waste Discharge Permit ST 4508 was issued on May 30, 1997 to cover the first category of streams (hydrotest, maintenance, and construction discharges). The second application was then submitted in September 1996, and State Waste Discharge Permit ST 4509 was issued on May 1, 1998 to cover the second category of streams (cooling water and condensate discharges). The third application, due in September of 1997, was eliminated due to stream reductions on the Hanford Site. The fourth and last scheduled application was submitted in September 1998, and covers industrial stormwater discharges to ground at Hanford and is the basis of this Fact Sheet and draft permit. The process to permit a group of streams in one "categorical permit' is based on an innovative agreement between Ecology and the Permittee and is not based on Ecology Water Quality Program policy or on the "Implementation Guidance for the Ground Water Quality Standards." Categorical permits are unique to the Hanford Site clean up, and are not used elsewhere in the state. They are intended to provide compliance with regulations while providing a streamlined and cost-effective permitting approach. The Plan and Schedule states that from the quantitative inventory, the fourth categorical WAC 173-216 state waste discharge permit application will be submitted for industrial stormwater discharges. Based on the state waste discharge permit application submitted to Ecology by the Permittee, a draft State Waste Discharge Permit was developed for industrial stormwater discharges on the Hanford Site. This Fact Sheet contains an explanation of the draft categorical State Waste Discharge Permit for industrial stormwater discharges on the Hanford Site. The Plan and Schedule defined parameters that discharges must meet to be covered by the draft categorical State Waste Discharge Permit. Each discharge must be less than 10 gallons per minute, averaged annually, and less than 150 gallons per minute instantaneously to be covered by the draft permit. Each discharge is also required to meet WAC 173-200 Ground Water Quality Criteria (GWQC) to be covered by the draft permit. Industrial stormwater discharges that do not meet the defined flow and quality parameters will need to apply for separate State Waste Discharge Permits.
4.0 DESCRIPTION OF PROCESSES
This section describes the types of processes that generate the wastewater streams covered under this permit. The basic process is the collection and discharge of industrial stormwater. Stormwater is defined as that portion of precipitation that does not naturally percolate into the ground or evaporate, but flows via overland flow, interflow, pipes, and other features of a stormwater
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collection and drainage system into a defined surface water body, or a constructed infiltration facility. Stormwater includes flows across the ground and pavement when it rains or when snow and ice melt. Industrial stormwater is any stormwater that is associated with any industrial activity. Industrial Stormwater discharges to ground that are collected in engineered structures such as lined trenches, basins, retention structures, secondary containment structures, tanks, sumps, roofs, parking lots, and other impervious surfaces and then discharged to engineered disposal structures such as injection wells, dry wells, catch basins, infiltration basins and infiltration trenches are the typical processes covered by this permit. A database identifying many of the discharges that are included in the above can be referred to in the Inventory of Miscellaneous Streams (DOE/RL-95-82, Rev. 3). Wastewater from all covered industrial stormwater discharges are discharged to the soil column. 4.1 Stormwater Collection in Lined Trenches, Basins, and Other Retention Structures Stormwater collects in engineered structures such as lined trenches, basins, and other retention structures that are associated with industrial activity. Other retention structures include secondary containment structures, tanks, sumps, and other engineered structures that collect and hold stormwater. All these structures are open to the atmosphere and are designed with elevated or bermed sides that contain and prevent stormwater from discharging to the ground. As a result, the accumulated industrial stormwater requires removal so that proper and continued operation of each facility can occur. Accumulated industrial stormwater is pumped out of the structure and discharged to the ground. Potential contamination sources include leaks from liners or containers that are within the retention structures. Also, pre-existing contamination from past practices could be a problem. 4.2 Stormwater Collection on Roofs, Parking Lots, and Other Impervious Surfaces Stormwater collects on engineered structures such as roofs, parking lots and other impervious surfaces. These structures are designed to drain stormwater to disposal structures or allow for sheet runoff. These structures may or may not be associated with industrial activity. Structures that allow sheet runoff and/or are not associated with industrial activity are not included in this permit and do not require a discharge permit. Those discharges that are discharged to engineered structures from areas associated with industrial activity are included in this permit. Many of the activities on the Hanford Site fit into the definition of industrial activity, so other than administration areas, much of the Site that has engineered structures, would be considered to be associated with industrial activity. Engineered stormwater disposal structures not associated with industrial activity (i.e., administrative buildings, employee parking lots, roadways, etc) are not included in this permit and do not require a discharge permit. Potential contamination sources include leaks or spills from the associated industrial activity and pre-existing contamination from past practices. Oil, grease, and other potential contaminants from vehicles are another possible source.
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4.3 Industrial Stormwater Discharges to Injection or Dry Wells Injection and dry wells are engineered structures used throughout the Hanford Site for the subsurface emplacement of stormwater. Injection wells are characterized as having a depth greater than diameter. Dry wells are characterized as having a diameter greater than depth. Wells normally are placed at the low point of a collection area to allow stormwater to flow to the well via gravity. Stormwater may be channeled to the well from roof tops, paved areas, graveled areas, or other structures receiving stormwater. Catch basins may lead to injection or dry wells. Structures that are not associated with industrial activity are not included in this permit and do not require a discharge permit to discharge uncontaminated Stormwater to ground. 4.4 Industrial Stormwater Discharges to Infiltration Trenches and Basins Infiltration trenches and basins are engineered structures that typically consist of a shallow excavated area allowing for the temporary storage of stormwater runoff, then gradual infiltration into the soil. These discharge locations may be utilized in conjunction with roof top drains, graveled areas, paved areas, and other runoff areas. Basins and trenches may be lined with grass or vegetation, which serves to filter and biodegrade potential pollutants prior to infiltration into the soil. Structures that are not associated with industrial activity are not included in this permit and do not require a discharge permit to discharge uncontaminated stormwater to ground.
5.0 SITE DESCRIPTION
The draft permit is for discharges on the Hanford Site (Figure 1). The applicability of the draft permit is limited to activities conducted by the Permittee, its contractors, and subcontractors on the Hanford Site, and excludes activities conducted by others on lands covered by leases, use permits, easements, and other agreements whereby land is used by parties other than the Permittee. For example, the draft permit does not cover activities on state owned or leased lands, lands owned by the Bonneville Power Administration, lands leased to Washington Public Power Supply System, US Ecology and the Ashe Substation, or similarly leased lands not under the management of the Permittee. The Hanford Site covers approximately 560 square miles of semiarid land owned by the U.S. Government and managed by the Permittee. The Hanford Site is located northwest of the city of Richland, Washington, and is located within the Pasco Basin of the Columbia Plateau. The city of Richland adjoins the southeastern most portion of the Hanford Site boundary and is the nearest population center. The Hanford Site comprises an area of about 30 miles north to south, and 24 miles east to west. The Site has restricted public access and provides a buffer to those areas used
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for production of nuclear materials, waste storage, and waste disposal. Only about 6 percent of the land area has been disturbed and is actively used. Activities on the Hanford Site are centralized in numerically designated areas. The 100 Areas, located along the Columbia River, contain deactivated reactors. The processing units are in the 200 Areas, which are on a plateau approximately 7 miles from the Columbia River. The 300 Area, located adjacent to and north of Richland, contains research and development laboratories. The 400 Area, 5 miles northwest of the 300 Area, contains the Fast Flux Test Facility previously used for testing liquid metal reactor systems. The 600 Area covers all locations not specifically given an area designation. Adjacent to the north of Richland, the 1100 and 3000 Areas, which contained offices associated with administration, maintenance, transportation, and materials procurement and distribution, were transferred to the Port of Benton and are therefore not covered by this permit. Additional administrative offices are located in the 700 Area in downtown Richland.
6.0 PROPOSED CONDITIONS
The draft permit and the conditions included are meant to control the discharge of collected industrial stormwater to engineered structures on the Hanford Site. Ecology is not normally concerned about the discharge of stormwater to land, but on a clean-up site the size of Hanford with lots of existing contamination, there is valid reason to be concerned. Ecology's main purposes in issuing the draft permit are to prohibit practices that could contaminate clean industrial stormwater and to avoid the movement and spread of existing Hanford Site contamination. These goals can be achieved through the implementation of standard industrial best management practices (BMPs) that are included as conditions in the draft permit. Conditions in the draft permit include discharge limitations, source water limitations, pollution prevention, and BMPs requirements. Discharge limitations included in the draft permit include maximum flow limits for each industrial stormwater discharge. These discharge limitations are expressed as conditions on permit coverage. Each discharge is limited to an annual average flow of 10 gallons per minute and during normal stormwater events, an instantaneous maximum flow of 150 gallons per minute. These limits in the draft permit are based on agreements with the Permittee on the scope of all of the categorical permits. Discharges that need permits and that have flows that are larger than these limits are not appropriate for categorical permits and need to get individual permits. The draft permit does not require flow measurement for any stormwater discharge. The design of the discharge structure, the collection area of the discharge, and the typical stormwater collection rate can be used to judge compliance with the flow limits. Flows above the 150 gpm limit during unusual stormwater events (sudden downpours or quick snow melt), are acceptable under this permit.
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The permit has discharge limitations on the contaminants in the discharges. Each discharge is required to meet GWQC. The permit does not allow exceptions this requirement. Discharges that meet these levels are clean and should not effect ground water quality. Discharges that do not meet these levels will require treatment until they do meet the GWQC and can be discharged and not impact ground water quality. The draft permit also contains source water limitations. The only source water covered by this draft permit is stormwater. The source water meets WAC 173-200 GWQC and therefore only discharges that pick up contamination during industrial stormwater collection and disposal have the potential to exceed GWQC. The draft permit includes pollution prevention and BMPs requirements. The draft permit, in special condition SA, lists basic pollution prevention and BMPs that all discharges must follow, where appropriate. These basic or minimum BMPs include prohibitions against the discharge of industrial stormwater to engineered disposal structures that are in surface contaminated areas or are near active or inactive contaminated disposal sites. The contamination could be from dangerous and/or radioactive contaminates from Hanford Site past practices. The 300 feet specified in condition S4.13 is based on Hanford Site information on the distance required between discharges to prevent intermingling of the discharges. These first two basic BMPs are meant to prevent clean stonnwater from becoming contaminated, and also to prevent the stormwater from moving already existing contamination. There are several existing streams that fall within the 300 foot limit that have been determined acceptable to leave as is. Other than for the discharges that have already been identified as acceptable to discharge within the 300 foot limit, no other existing or new discharge is expected to be given an exception to this condition. The next basic BMP, in condition S4.C, requires the avoidance of collecting stormwater in contaminated structures. This BMP also has requirements in the event that industrial stormwater is collected in contaminated structures. These requirements are discussed in this fact sheet in section 7.0, "Monitoring and Reporting". This BMP is meant to prevent the contamination of clean stormwater and to prevent the moving or spreading of existing contamination. The last two basic BMPs require engineered disposal structures to be designed to prevent ponding or flooding of the disposal area under normal precipitation rates and prohibit the discharge or runoff of industrial stormwater to surface waters or to other off site locations, unless authorized by a state or federal discharge permit. The draft permit also includes in special condition S5 the requirement that the Permittee must submit a pollution prevention and BMPs plan for industrial stormwater discharges. This plan, which must be approved by Ecology, will describe how industrial stormwater discharges will be handled on the Hanford Site. Once the plan becomes effective, all industrial stormwater
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discharges will be required to follow the pollution prevention and BMPs listed in the plan. If appropriate pollution prevention and BMPs are not described in the plan for a particular discharge, that discharge is not covered by the draft permit until the appropriate pollution prevention and BMPs are added to the plan. The permittee may incorporate pollution prevention and BMPs for industrial stormwater into an y existing pollution prevention and BMPs plan they already have, such as Pollution Prevention and Best Management Practice Plan (DOE/RL-97-67). It would be acceptable to build on elements from existing practices/activities that are applicable to stormwater pollution prevention and incorporate them into the existing plan. The Permittee may wish to review any existing plans for procedures that already help reduce the potential for stormwater pollution. For instance, including or referencing applicable portions of any Spill Control and Countermeasures plans required for the facility may be useful. Recommendations and general guidance for the pollution prevention and BMPs plan or for the addition to other plans can be found in the Ecology document Stormwater Pollution Prevention Planning for Industrial Facilities (WQ-R-93-015). This document can be requested from Ecology publications, at (360) 407-7156. Another source for guidance may include industrial association publications. Where appropriate, the BMPs plan could include discussion on the following types of BMPs: Operational BMPs Develop a good housekeeping plan and maintain a clean and orderly facility. I. 2. Develop a preventive maintenance program, including the inspection and maintenance of stormwater management devices and other equipment at the facility, and follow-up procedures to ensure appropriate actions have been taken. Identify spill cleanup procedures, equipment, and personnel. 3. Train employees on the plan requirements. 4. Source Control BMPs 5. Identify practices designed to control pollution at its sources. Erosion and Sediment Control BMPs 6. Identify measures to limit erosion in areas which have a high potential for significant soil erosion. Treatment BMPs 7. When all of the above BMPs are insufficient to prevent the discharge of significant amounts of pollutants, treatment or innovative BMPs must be included. Other things to consider during the development of the plan. Keep rain from washing away pollutants by avoiding potential problems. Consider whether an activity, equipment, or materials can be moved inside or under cover. Clean company vehicles at a commercial car wash. Avoid
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the use of toxic materials. Use dumpsters with solid covers and sealed bottoms; keep storage containers securely closed. Store liquids in covered and contained areas (e.g., surrounded by curbs or berms) to retain spills and leaks. Clean up your area. Don't clean up by washing materials, grit or grime into the storm drainage system. Instead, sweep the area and pick up litter. Immediately clean up any spills using an absorbent material such as kitty litter. Sweep up the absorbent materials and dispose of them properly. Take steps to trap pollutants. Use a drip pan when transferring liquids from one container to another and at hose connections and nozzles, where spills may occur. Cover the ground with a tarp to catch paint chips and metal or wood shavings when blasting, sanding, or grinding. Consider the use of a filter that can be inserted into catch basins. Routinely clean out the sediment that collects in storm drains, or it will be washed down the system in a major storm. Emphasize to all employees that it all adds up. They may not think it matters whether or not a recycling drum leaks a little; but the small amount of pollution from a site added to the pollution from many dispersed sources adds up to a significant water quality problem. Common outdoor activities are potential sources of pollution. Oil and grease, dirt, organic debris, and chemicals are examples of pollutants that can be washed from a site when it rains and wind up in our surface and ground waters. That means everyone needs to prevent these pollutants from coming into contact with rainfall and runoff by properly storing materials under a cover and in contained areas. Once the plan is approved by Ecology, the BMPs plan will need to be implemented. Then the evaluation and monitoring progress on plan compliance will be important.
7.0 MONITORING AND REPORTING
The draft permit does not require monitoring and reporting of non-contaminated industrial stormwater discharges. No sampling and analysis of stormwater or industrial stormwater discharges is required by the draft permit, as long as the reasonable potential for contamination does not exist. The collection and discharge of industrial stormwater is not expected to add significant pollutants to the stormwater, as long as the proper pollution prevention and BMPs are followed. The BMPs plan could include sampling requirements for some discharges. The potential to pollute the environment is low if the proper practices are followed. For the most part the discharges are small in volume. Sampling one discharge would tell little about the next discharge. Sampling all or most of the discharges would be prohibitively expensive.
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The exception to not sampling is when industrial stormwater is collected in a structure that is known to contain pre-existing contamination from past practices (permit special condition S4.C). Contaminated structures on the Hanford Site are common. Contamination could be from dangerous and/or radioactive contaminants. The collection of industrial stormwater in these contaminated structures is to be avoided. If collection does occur, the collected industrial stormwater must be field screened or sampled and analyzed for the contaminants of concern for that structure. If the industrial stormwater analysis does not show the contaminants of concern at levels of concern, then the industrial stormwater may be discharged under this permit, using the proper BMPs. If contamination is found, treatment of the industrial stormwater would be required prior to discharge. This treatment may mean sending the stormwater to the 200 Area Effluent Treatment Facility (ETF) or other treatment facility. Discharge would then be done under the other treatment facility's state waste discharge permit. Treatment and discharge may also be possible under this permit, if the Permittee can show, through sampling and analysis, that the industrial stormwater has been successfully treated.
8.0 GENERAL CONDITIONS
General Conditions are based directly on state laws and regulations and have been standardized for all industrial waste discharge to ground water permits issued by Ecology. The General Conditions in this categorical permit have some slight differences from the standardized set. One General Condition that is part of the standardized set and is entitled "Penalties for Violating Permit Conditions" did not fit this permit and is replaced by General Condition G8, "Discharge Violations". Two other standard General Conditions, "Reporting a Cause for Modification" and "Plan Review Required", also did not fit this permit and are not included. Three other General Conditions that are not part of the standardized set of General Conditions, but are standard Special Conditions, are included. Condition GI requires responsible officials or their designated representatives to sign submittals to Ecology. Condition G2 requires the Permittee to allow Ecology access the treatment system, production facility, and records related to the permit. Condition G3 specifies conditions for modifying, suspending, or terminating the permit. Condition G4 prohibits the Permittee from using the permit as a basis for violating any laws, statutes, or regulations. Conditions G5 and G6 relate to permit renewal and transfer. Condition G7 prohibits the discharge of removed substances. Conditions G8 and G9 relate to discharge violations and payment of permit fees. Conditions G10 and GI l relate to record keeping requirements and noncompliance notification.
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9.0 PERMIT STATUS
This is a new permit for unpermitted existing discharges. An application for a permit was submitted to Ecology in September 1998, and accepted by Ecology on November 23, 1998. The proposed draft permit meets all statutory requirements for authorizing a wastewater discharge, including those limitations and conditions believed necessary to control toxics, and to protect human health and the beneficial uses of waters of the State of Washington. Ecology proposes the permit be issued for five years.
10.0 STATE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (SEPA) COMPLIANCE
Industrial stormwater discharges were not reviewed under the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). As existing streams, these discharges are all exempt from the required SEPA determination (WAC 197-11- 855[1]). An Environmental Checklist was not completed by the Permittee. The addition of new industrial stormwater discharges, that are similar to the existing streams and that fall within the scope of this permit, would not trigger any SEPA issues.
11.0 PERMIT ISSUANCE PROCEDURES
Public Notice, Hearings, and Comments Public involvement has been sought and required in the permit development and issuance process. The role of the SEPA in development of this permit is discussed in Section 10.0. The permit development process is summarized as follows. A public notice of application for a State Waste Discharge Permit has been published in the Tri-City Herald, which is in the geographic area of the discharge. Mailings have also been made to interested persons. The draft permit and fact sheet have been forwarded to the Permittee for comment on factual content at least 30 days before beginning the formal pubic review period. Only factual items are corrected in the draft permit and fact sheet. The Permittee is advised that the proposed permit conditions could be changed during the public review process. If the proposed draft permit is significantly different than the previous permit, the permit writer shall offer the Permittee and other interested parties an opportunity to meet. The purpose of the meeting is to explain new or changed requirements, receive comments on factual content, and discuss the practicality of compliance schedules.
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Ecology then publishes the public notice of draft permit as a legal, classified advertisement, at least once, in the same major paper in which the public notice of application was published. A public notice of draft permit is also mailed to parties of record who are persons who responded to the public notice of application or who have otherwise requested to be kept informed. The comment period following a public notice of draft permit will normally be 30 days from the date of the latest notice. Ecology will hold formal public hearings whenever Ecology deems there is sufficient interest and a likelihood of meaningful public comment on a permit. Ecology has decided not to hold a public hearing to receive public comment on this draft permit. If a public hearing were called for, the public notice would be published at least 30 days prior to the hearing and would also be mailed to parties of record. Established Ecology procedures exist for conducting the hearing. A response to the public comments received by Ecology at the hearing would be made by Ecology. Notices of permit issuance will be mailed by Ecology to parties of record. Notices of appeals of permits will be mailed to parties of record, as will decisions on appeals. Major modifications, suspension, and revocation of a State Waste Discharge Permit also requires public review and comment. Hence, public notices of intent and notifications to parties of record will be made. Permit Modifications This permit can be modified in whole or in part by Ecology for such reasons as: violations by the Permittee, obtaining the permit by misrepresentation or failure to disclose, material change in type of waste disposal, material change in the condition of the waters of the state, promulgation or revisions of regulatory standards, or errors in best professional judgment on the part of the permit writer due to data limitations in existence at the time of permit development. The Permittee can also request permit modifications which Ecology can accept, accept with modifications, or deny.
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APPENDIX A - REFERENCES
State Waste Discharge Permit Application for Stormwater Discharges to Land, U. S. Department of Energy, Richland, Washington, 98-EAP-445. Inventory of Miscellaneous Streams, U.S. Department of Energy, Richland, Washington, DOE/RL95-82, Revision 3. Plan and Schedule for Disposition and Regulatory Compliance for Miscellaneous Streams, U. S. Department of Energy, Richland, Washington, DOEIRL-93-94, Revision 1. Miscellaneous Streams Best Management Practices (BMP) Report, U.S. Department of Energy, Richland, Washington, DOE/RL-9640, Revision 0. Pollution Prevention and Best Management Practice Plan for State Waste Discharge Permits ST 4508 and ST 4509, U.S. Department of Energy, Richland, Washington, DOE/RL-97-67, Revision 2. Permit Writers Manual, Washington State Department of Ecology, Procedures for Writing Effluent Discharge Permits, Water Quality Program, Publication Number 92-109. Water Quality Standards for Ground Waters of the State of Washington, Chapter 173-200 WAC, issued 10/31/90. State Waste Discharge Permit Program, Chapter 173-216 WAC, issued 9/22/93. Underground Injection Control Program, Chapter 173-218 WAC, issued 2/29/84. Wastewater Discharge Permit Fees, Chapter 173-224 WAC, issued 1/10/96. Washington State Law, RCW 90.48. Hanford Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order - 5th and 6th Amendment, February 1996, Washington State Department of Ecology, U.S. EPA, U.S. Department of Energy, 89-10 Rev. 4. Consent Order No. DE-91NM-177 for the Permitting of Liquid Effluents Discharges Under the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 173-216, December 23, 1991.
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Stormwater Pollution Prevention Planning for Industrial Facilities, Washington State Department of Ecology, Water Quality Program, Publication Number WQ-R-93-015 Stormwater Management Manual for the Puget Sound Basin (The Technical Manual), Washington State Department of Ecology, Publication Number 91-75. Examples of Pollution Prevention In Permits, Washington State Department of Ecology, Pollution Prevention Training, Spring 1995. New State Permit Shells, Fact Sheet Shells, Legal Basis Sheets, and Application Packages for Industrial Discharges to Land, Washington State Department of Ecology, issued April 4, 1996. Implementation Guidance for the Ground Water Quality Standards, Washington State Department of Ecology Publication #96-02, April 1996.
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APPENDIX B - PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT INFORMATION
Ecology has tentatively determined to issue a State Waste Discharge Permit to the Permittee. The draft permit contains conditions and limitations which are described in this fact sheet. Public notice of application was published on November 15, 1998, and November 22, 1998, in the Tri-City Herald, to inform the public that an application had been submitted and to invite comment on the issuance of the permit. Ecology will publish a public notice of draft permit in the February 7, 1999, Tri-City Herald, to inform the public that a draft permit and fact sheet are available for review (February 8, 1999, through March 9, 1999). Interested persons will be invited to submit written comments regarding the draft permit. The draft permit, fact sheet, and related documents will be available for inspections and copying between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., weekdays, by appointment, at the Ecology office listed below. Written comments should also be mailed to: Mr. David Dougherty, P.E. Nuclear Waste Program Washington State Department of Ecology 1315 West 4th Avenue Kennewick, WA 99336-6018 Any interested party may comment on the draft permit within the 30-day comment period (February 8, 1999, through March 9, 1999) by writing to the individual at the above address. Ecology would hold a hearing regarding this permit only if one is requested during the comment period. Public notice regarding a hearing would be circulated at least 30 days in advance. Individuals expressing an interest in this permit will be mailed an individual notice. Ecology will consider comments received in formulating a final determination to issue, revise, or deny the permit. Ecology's response to all significant comments is available upon request and will be mailed directly to people expressing an interest in this permit. Further information can be obtained from Ecology by contacting Mr. Dave Dougherty at (509) 7363047, or by writing him at the address listed above.
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APPENDIX C - GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Activi — Any site, area, facility, structure, vehicle, installation, or discharge which may produce pollution. Best Management Practices (BMPs) - Permit condition used in place of or in conjunction with effluent limits to prevent the discharge of pollutants. Schedules of activities, prohibitions of practices, maintenance procedures, and other physical, structural and/or managerial practices to prevent or reduce the pollution of waters of the State. BMPs include treatment systems, operating procedures, and practices to control: plant site runoff, spillage or leaks, sludge or waste disposal, or drainage from raw material storage. BMPs may be further categorized as operational, source control, erosion and sediment control, and treatment BMPs. Construction Activity - Clearing, grading, excavation, and any other activity which disturbs the surface of the land. Such activities may include road building, construction of residential houses, office buildings, or industrial buildings, and demolition activity. Cooling Water and Condensate Discharges - The designation "cooling water and condensate discharges" refer to all discharges covered by permit ST 4509 and described in that fact sheet, which include not only cooling water and condensate discharges, but also other miscellaneous discharges such as pump leaks, valve waste water, and water tank overflows. Criteria - are the numeric values and the narrative standards that represent contaminant concentrations which are not to be exceeded in the receiving environmental media (surface water, ground water, sediment) to protect beneficial uses. Fact Sheet - A document prepared and issued with every permit which summarizes the activities and decisions on the permit and tells how the public may comment. Ground Water Quality Criteria (GWOC) - Refers, for this permit, to Water Quality Standards for Groundwater as listed in Table I of Chapter 173-200 WAC. Industrial Stormwater — Stormwater that comes into contact with industrial activity or stormwater that is collected within an area of industrial activity. Industrial Wastewater - Water or liquid-carried waste from industrial or commercial processes, as distinct from domestic wastewater. These wastes may result from any process or activity of industry, manufacture, trade or business, from the development of any natural resource, or from
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animal operations such as feed lots, poultry houses, or dairies. The term includes contaminated storm water and, also, leachate from solid waste facilities. Owner and Operator - For this permit and Fact Sheet, both the owner and the operator refer to the U.S. Department of Energy. Parties of Record - People who have indicated an interest in a particular permit during the public notice of application and are kept informed of progress of the permit. Pollutant - Dredged soil, solid waste, incinerator residue, sewage, garbage, sewage, sludge, munitions, chemical wastes, biological materials, radioactive materials, heat, wrecked or discarded equipment, rock, sand, cellar dirt and industrial, municipal, and agricultural waste discharged into water. Pollution Prevention - Source reduction; or protection of natural resources by conservation; or increased efficiency in the use of raw materials, energy, water or other resources. Runoff— Water originating from rainfall and other precipitation that is found in drainage facilities, rivers, streams, springs, seeps, ponds, lakes, and wetlands as well as ground water. Source Reduction - Any practice which: Eliminates or reduces the amount or use of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants that enter a waste stream or are released into the environment, including fugitive emissions, prior to any recycling, treatment, or disposal; and thereby, reduces adverse public health and environmental affects associated with the release of such substances, pollutants, or contaminants. State Waste Discharee Permit - A wastewater discharge permit issued under State authority (Chapter 90.48 RC W) to control the discharge of pollutants to waters of the State. Generally issued for discharges to ground water and for industrial discharges to a municipal sewage when that municipal system does not have a pretreatment program. State Waters - Lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, inland waters, underground waters, salt waters, and all other surface waters and watercourses within the jurisdiction of the state of Washington. Stormwater - That portion of precipitation that does not naturally percolate into the ground or evaporate, but flows via overland flow, interflow, pipes, and other features of a storm water drainage system into a defined surface water body, or a constructed infiltration facility.