EPA Proposes Reissuance of NPDES Permits for the Cities of Grangeville, Inkom, Lava Hot Springs, Montpelier, & Wilder and for Elk Valley Subdivision and Southside Water & Sewer District, all in Idaho; Public Comment Period: 10/27/04--11/26/04

Technical Contact:
Robert Rau
(206) 553-6285
1-800-424-4372 (within Region 10)
rau.rob@epa.gov

The cities of Grangeville (ID-002003-6), Inkom (ID-002024-9), Lava Hot Springs (ID-002182-2), Montpelier (ID-2558-5), Wilder (ID-002804-5); and the Elk Valley Subdivision (ID-002797-9) and the Southside Water and Sewer District (ID-002804-5) operate wastewater treatment facilities. The effluent from these facilities discharge to the following receiving waters: Grangeville (Threemile Creek), Inkom and Lava Hot Springs (Portneuf River), Montpelier (Bear River), Wilder (Wilder Ditch Drain), Elk Valley Subdivision (South Fork Boise River), and Southside Water and Sewer District (Pend Oreille River). The wastewater treatment facility for the Southside Water and Sewer District has not yet been constructed, but is expected to become operational in September 2005.

A Fact Sheet is available.

The Region 10 Office of EPA has tentatively determined to reissue (or issue) discharge permits to the above listed applicants.

This Notice will serve as Public Notice of the intent of the State of Idaho, Department of Environmental Quality to consider certifying that the subject discharges will comply with the applicable provisions of the Sections 208(e), 301, 302, 303, 306 and 307 of the Clean Water Act. The NPDES permits will not be issued until the certification requirements of Section 401 have been met.

Persons wishing to comment on the tentative determinations contained in the draft permits or wishing to request that a public hearing be held, may do so in writing to the above address or by e-mail to “rau.rob@epa.gov” within 30 days of the date of this public notice. A request for a public hearing shall state the nature of the issues to be raised as well as the requester's name, address and telephone number. Comments must be received within the 30 day period to be considered in the formulation of final determinations regarding the application. All comments should include the name, address and telephone number of the commenter and a concise statement of the exact basis of any comment and the relevant facts upon which it is based.

All written comments and requests should be submitted to EPA at the above address to the attention of the Director, Office of Water and Watersheds.

Persons wishing to comment on State Certifications should submit written comments within the 30 day period to the Administrator of the appropriate regional state office identified below.

The proposed NPDES permits and other related documents are on file and may be inspected at the EPA Region 10 office at the above address any time between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time), Monday through Friday. Copies and other information may be requested by writing to the EPA at the above address to the attention of the NPDES Permits Unit, or by calling (206) 553-0523, or by sending an e-mail to Copies of the draft permit and fact sheet can also be downloaded from the internet at http://www.epa.gov/r10earth. The draft permits and fact sheets are also on file at the following locations: