ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

NOTICE OF PROPOSED REISSUANCE
OF GENERAL NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) PERMITS
FOR DISCHARGE INTO WATERS OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND REQUEST FOR COMMENTS

The Department is proposing to reissue that following Industrial General NPDES Permits:

STATEWIDE

General NPDES Permit ALG020000, which regulates discharges associated with the manufacture of asphalt concrete, asphalt roofing, linoleum and printed asphalt felt, and of hot mix asphalt from asphalt cement, consisting of storm water, non-contact cooling water, uncontaminated condensate, cooling tower blowdown, boiler blowdown, demineralizer wastewater, exterior vehicle and equipment wash water, and storm water from fueling, petroleum storage and handling, equipment storage and maintenance areas discharging to waters of the State of Alabama (not designated Outstanding National Resource Water or Outstanding Alabama Water).  Coverage under this General NPDES Permit will only be allowed if the Department makes a Best Professional Judgment (BPJ) determination that the cooling water structure represents the best technology available (BTA) to minimize adverse environmental impacts in accordance with Section 316(b) of the Federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. section 1326) or the provider of the water to the permittee is a public water supply and therefore exempt from 316(b).

General NPDES Permit ALG030000, which regulates discharges associated with boat and ship building and repair industries (including oil and gas well drilling and production platforms building and repair) consisting of storm water, non-contact cooling water, uncontaminated condensate, cooling tower blowdown, boiler blowdown, demineralizer wastewater, treated sanitary wastewater, bilge/ballast water, wash water, hydrostatic and pressure test water, hydroblast water (not including wet abrasive blast water), and storm water from fueling, petroleum storage and handling, equipment storage, and maintenance areas discharging to waters of the State of Alabama (not designated Outstanding National Resource Water, Outstanding Alabama Water, or shellfish harvesting area).  Coverage under this General NPDES Permit will only be allowed if the Department makes a Best Professional Judgment (BPJ) determination that the cooling water structure represents the best technology available (BTA) to minimize adverse environmental impacts in accordance with Section 316(b) of the Federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. section 1326) or the provider of the water to the permittee is a public water supply and therefore exempt from 316(b).

General NPDES Permit ALG120000, which regulates associated with primary metals, metal finishing, fabricated metal products, industrial commercial machinery, electronic equipment, transportation equipment, measuring and analyzing instruments, and foundries consisting of storm water, hydrostatic test water from new containers, non-contact cooling water, uncontaminated condensate, cooling tower blowdown, boiler blowdown, demineralizer wastewater, vehicle and equipment exterior vehicle and equipment wash water, and storm water from fueling, petroleum storage and handling, equipment storage, and maintenance areas discharging to waters of the State of Alabama (not designated Outstanding National Resource Water or Outstanding Alabama Water).  Coverage under this General NPDES Permit will only be allowed if the Department makes a Best Professional Judgment (BPJ) determination that the cooling water structure represents the best technology available (BTA) to minimize adverse environmental impacts in accordance with Section 316(b) of the Federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. section 1326) or the provider of the water to the permittee is a public water supply and therefore exempt from 316(b).

General NPDES Permit ALG140000, which regulates discharges associated with transportation industries and warehousing consisting of storm water; noncontact cooling water; uncontaminated condensate; cooling tower blowdown; boiler blowdown; demineralizer wastewater; exterior vehicle and equipment wash water; storm water from fueling, petroleum storage and handling, equipment storage and maintenance areas; and wastewater associated with airfield pavement deicing from existing and new primary airports with 1,000 or more annual jet (non-propeller aircraft) departures discharging to waters of the State of Alabama (not designated Outstanding National Resource Water or Outstanding Alabama Water).  Coverage under this General NPDES Permit will only be allowed if the Department makes a Best Professional Judgment (BPJ) determination that the cooling water structure represents the best technology available (BTA) to minimize adverse environmental impacts in accordance with Section 316(b) of the Federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. section 1326) or the provider of the water to the permittee is a public water supply and therefore exempt from 316(b).

General NPDES Permit ALG170000, which regulates discharges associated with the manufacturing and storage of paints, varnishes, lacquers, enamels, and allied products consisting of storm water, non-contact cooling water, uncontaminated condensate, cooling tower blowdown, boiler blowdown, demineralizer wastewater, exterior vehicle and equipment wash water, and storm water from fueling, petroleum storage and handling, equipment storage and maintenance areas discharging to waters of the State of Alabama (not designated Outstanding National Resource Water or Outstanding Alabama Water). Coverage under this General NPDES Permit will only be allowed if the Department makes a Best Professional Judgment (BPJ) determination that the cooling water structure represents the best technology available (BTA) to minimize adverse environmental impacts in accordance with Section 316(b) of the Federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. section 1326) or the provider of the water to the permittee is a public water supply and therefore exempt from 316(b).

General NPDES Permit ALG180000, which regulates discharges associated with the salvage and recycling industry consisting of storm water, non-contact cooling water, uncontaminated condensate, cooling tower blowdown, boiler blowdown, demineralizer wastewater, exterior vehicle and equipment wash water, and storm water from fueling, petroleum storage and handling, equipment storage, and maintenance areas discharging to waters of the State of Alabama (not designated Outstanding National Resource Water or Outstanding Alabama Water).  Coverage under this General NPDES Permit will only be allowed if the Department makes a Best Professional Judgment (BPJ) determination that the cooling water structure represents the best technology available (BTA) to minimize adverse environmental impacts in accordance with Section 316(b) of the Federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. section 1326) or the provider of the water to the permittee is a public water supply and therefore exempt from 316(b).

General NPDES Permit ALG200000, which regulates discharges associated with the plastic and rubber industry (excluding industries covered under 40 CFR Part 414-Organic Chemical, Plastics, and Synthetic Fiber Industries) consisting of storm water, non-contact cooling water, uncontaminated condensate, cooling tower blowdown, boiler blowdown, demineralizer wastewater, exterior vehicle and equipment wash water, and storm water from fueling, petroleum storage and handling, equipment storage, and maintenance areas discharging to waters of the State of Alabama (not designated Outstanding National Resource Water or Outstanding Alabama Water).  Coverage under this General NPDES Permit will only be allowed if the Department makes a Best Professional Judgment (BPJ) determination that the cooling water structure represents the best technology available (BTA) to minimize adverse environmental impacts in accordance with Section 316(b) of the Federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. section 1326) or the provider of the water to the permittee is a public water supply and therefore exempt from 316(b).

General NPDES Permit ALG230000, which regulates discharges associated with the stone, glass, and clay industry consisting of storm water, non-contact cooling water, uncontaminated condensate, cooling tower blowdown, and boiler blowdown, demineralizer wastewater, exterior vehicle and equipment wash water, and storm water from fueling, petroleum storage and handling, equipment storage and maintenance areas, discharging to waters of the State of Alabama (not designated Outstanding National Resource Water or Outstanding Alabama Water).  Coverage under this General NPDES Permit will only be allowed if the Department makes a Best Professional Judgment (BPJ) determination that the cooling water structure represents the best technology available (BTA) to minimize adverse environmental impacts in accordance with Section 316(b) of the Federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. section 1326) or the provider of the water to the permittee is a public water supply and therefore exempt from 316(b).

General NPDES Permit ALG240000, which regulates discharges associated with the textile industry consisting of storm water, non-contact cooling water, uncontaminated condensate, cooling tower blowdown, boiler blowdown, demineralizer wastewater, exterior vehicle and equipment wash water, and storm water from fueling, petroleum storage and handling, equipment storage, and maintenance areas.discharging to waters of the State of Alabama (not designated Outstanding National Resource Water or Outstanding Alabama Water).  Coverage under this General NPDES Permit will only be allowed if the Department makes a Best Professional Judgment (BPJ) determination that the cooling water structure represents the best technology available (BTA) to minimize adverse environmental impacts in accordance with Section 316(b) of the Federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. section 1326) or the provider of the water to the permittee is a public water supply and therefore exempt from 316(b).

General NPDES Permit ALG670000, which regulates discharges associated with the hydrostatic test waters from new and existing petroleum and natural gas pipelines discharging to waters of the State of Alabama (not designated Outstanding National Resource Water or Outstanding Alabama water).

Individual facilities and/or operations may propose to operate under these General NPDES Permits, if reissued, by notifying the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and providing the required documentation.  After receiving such Notice of Intent, the Department may regulate discharges under the General NPDES Permit.

The Department has tentatively determined that the reissuance of these General NPDES Permits is consistent with the Water Quality Program regulations, and for those in the coastal area, are consistent with the Alabama Coastal Management Program.

Copies of the draft permit, conditions, limitations, and a fact sheet, as applicable, describing the methodology for setting the limitations and conditions and other documents are available for public inspection electronically via http://adem.alabama.gov/newsEvents/publicNotices.cnt, and at the following location Monday – Friday (except legal holidays), 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.  A nominal fee for copying and/or mailing may be charged.  Arrangements for copying should be made in advance.

Jeffery W. Kitchens, Chief
ADEM-Water Division
1400 Coliseum Blvd.
[Mailing address: PO Box 301463; Zip 36130-1463]
Montgomery, Alabama 36110-2400
(334) 271-7823
water-permits@adem.alabama.gov

Persons wishing to comment may do so, in writing, to the Department's named contact above within 30 days following the publication date of this notice.  COMMENTERS SHOULD IDENTIFY THE NPDES PERMIT NUMBER ON THE FIRST PAGE OF THEIR COMMENTS.  In order to affect final decisions, comments must offer technically substantial information that is applicable to the draft permit. All comments must be received in the ADEM Main Office in Montgomery no later than 5:00 P.M. on the last day of the comment period.

A written request for a public hearing may also be filed within that 30-day period and must state the nature of the issues proposed to be raised in the hearing.  The Director shall hold a public hearing whenever it is found, on the basis of hearing requests, that there exists a significant degree of public interest in the permit application or draft permit.  The Director may also hold a hearing if he determines that it would clarify one or more issues involved in the permit decision.

After consideration of all written comments, review of any public hearing record, and consideration of the requirements of the Alabama Water Pollution Control Act, the federal Water Pollution Control Act, and applicable regulations, the Department will make a final determination.  The Department will develop a response to comments, which will become part of the public record.  The Department will post responses to comments as well as the final permit determinations to the Department’s website at http://app.adem.alabama.gov/eFile/.  To find the response to comments and final permit determination, you may search by the permit number listed in this notice.

The Department maintains a list of interested individuals who are emailed legal notices regarding proposed permits.  If you wish to receive such notices, please sign up here by entering your email address on the left side of the page and clicking the submit button.

This notice is hereby given this 25th day of July 2022, by authorization of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

_________________________
Lance R. LeFleur
Director

Nondiscrimination Statement:  The Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in the administration of its programs.