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EPA Re-Opens Public Comment Period For Revised Draft Discharge Permit for Potlatch Corporation in Lewiston

Release Date: 6/18/2003
Contact Information: Kristine Koch
[email protected]
(206) 553-6705

June 18, 2003
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reopening the public comment period for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the Potlatch Corporation in Lewiston, Idaho.

Potlatch Corporation produces bleached grades of paperboard, tissue and market pulp by the kraft (sulfate) process. Potlatch also manufactures wood products at the Lewiston facility. The NPDES program is the primary permitting system under the federal Clean Water Act, which governs all discharges to the nation's surface water. EPA released the original draft of this permit for public review in December 1999.

EPA has revised the draft permit (239kb pdf) and fact sheet (429kb pdf) based primarily upon new information on production rates and water quality models of Biological Oxygen Demand(BOD) and temperature. The Agency is now inviting the public to review the proposed revisions and provide comment. EPA is only taking comments on the changes made since the previous public notice in 1999. The Fact Sheet explains the basis for the changes made to the draft permit.

EPA is currently undergoing formal Endangered Species Act consultation with NOAA Fisheries and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in regard to EPA = s action of issuing this permit. The permit does not include any issues or information raised in the draft Biological Opinions generated by either NOAA or the Fish & Wildlife Service. EPA will incorporate into the final permit prior to issuance any reasonable and prudent alternative or measure that falls under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act requiring more stringent permit conditions by the final Biological Opinion of both services.

Comments on the changes to proposed permit or requests for a public hearing, must be submitted in writing between June 19 and July 21. All comments or requests should include the requester's name, address and telephone number, and the exact basis of the comment or nature of the issues to be raised at a public meeting. Comments must be postmarked by July 21 to be considered in the formulation of final determinations.

All written comments and requests should be submitted to either of the following address:

Director, Office of Water.
U.S. EPA
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101

Or, via e-mail to: [email protected]