Meadwestvaco Revised Water Discharge Permit

  PUBLIC NOTICE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (LDEQ) MEADWESTVACO SOUTH CAROLINA, LLC - DERIDDER PLANT REVISED WATER DISCHARGE PERMIT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STATEMENT (EAS)   The LDEQ, Office of Environmental Services, is accepting written comments on a revised draft Louisiana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (LPDES) permit and Environmental Assessment Statement (EAS) prepared for MeadWestvaco South Carolina, LLC - DeRidder Plant, 400 Crosby Road, DeRidder, Louisiana 70634.  The facility is located at 400 Crosby Road in DeRidder, Beauregard Parish.  Upon the effective date of the final permit, the LPDES permit shall replace the previously issued LPDES permit.  The draft permit package is being re-public noticed since it has been revised to include the facility’s response to the IT Questions along with an update to the compliance history/DMR review section in the fact sheet.   The principal discharge from this source made into Palmetto Creek via local drainage, waters of the state classified for primary contact recreation, secondary contact recreation, and fish and wildlife propagation.  Under the SIC s 2821, 2861 and 2869, the applicant proposes to discharge treated process wastewater, utility wastewaters, miscellaneous wastewaters, hydrostatic test wastewater, and process area and non-process area stormwater runoff from an existing tall oil refinery.   During the preparation of this permit, it has been determined that the discharge will have no adverse impact on the existing uses of the receiving waterbody.  As with any discharge, however, some change in existing water quality may occur.   Comments and requests for a public hearing or notification of the final decision can be submitted via personal delivery, U.S. mail, email, or fax. Comments and  requests for public hearings must be received by 4:30 pm CST, THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 2012. Delivery may be made to the drop-box at 602 N. 5th St., Baton Rouge, LA 70802.  U.S. Mail may be sent to LDEQ, Public Participation Group, P.O. Box 4313, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4313.  Emails may be submitted to DEQ.PUBLICNOTICES@LA.GOV and faxes sent to (225) 219-3309.   Please see additional instructions for comment submission, hand delivery and information regarding electronic submission  at http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/portal/Default.aspx?tabid=2256 or call (225) 219-3276.  Emails should follow the statewide email policies.  For more information regarding statewide email policies, go to http://doa.louisiana.gov/ocs/email/policies.htm.   If LDEQ finds a significant degree of public interest, a public hearing will be held.  LDEQ will send notification of the final permit decision to the applicant and to each person who has submitted written comments or a written request for notification of the final decision.   The application and associated correspondence, draft permit, and are available for review at the LDEQ, Public Records Center, Room 127, 602 North 5th Street, Baton Rouge, LA.  Viewing hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (except holidays).  The available information can also be accessed electronically on the Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) on the DEQ public website at www.deq.louisiana.gov.   Inquiries or requests for additional information regarding this permit action should be directed to Sonja Loyd, LDEQ, Water Permits Division, P.O. Box 4313, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4313, phone (225) 219-3232.   Persons wishing to be included on the LDEQ permit public notice mailing list or for other public participation related questions should contact the Public Participation Group in writing at LDEQ, P.O. Box 4313, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4313, by email at DEQ.PUBLICNOTICES@LA.GOV or contact the LDEQ Customer Service Center at (225) 219-LDEQ (219-5337).   Permit public notices including electronic access to the draft permit and fact sheet can be viewed at the LDEQ permits public notice webpage at www.deq.louisiana.gov/apps/pubNotice/default.asp and general information related to the public participation in permitting activities can be viewed at www.deq.louisiana.gov/portal/tabid/2198/Default.aspx.   Alternatively, individuals may elect to receive the permit public notices via email by subscribing to the LDEQ permits public notice List Server at http://louisiana.gov/Services/Email_Notifications_DEQ_PN/.