The LDEQ, Office of Environmental Services, is accepting written comments on a draft Louisiana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (LPDES) permit prepared for Occidental Chemical Corporation, Geismar Facility, P.O. Box 227, Geismar, LA 70734. The facility is located at 8318 Ashland Road, Geismar, Ascension Parish. Upon the effective date of the final permit, the LPDES permit shall replace the previously issued LPDES permit.
The principal discharge from this existing source is made into the Mississippi River, waters of the state classified for primary contact recreation, secondary contact recreation, propagation of fish and wildlife and drinking water supply. The facility also discharges to an unnamed drainage ditch to Smith Bayou, thence to Bayou Francois, waters of the state classified for primary contact recreation, secondary contact recreation and propagation of fish and wildlife. Under the SIC Codes 2869, 2812, 2813 and 2819, the applicant proposes to discharge treated process wastewaters, process and non-process area stormwater runoff, utility wastewaters, recovered groundwater, sanitary wastewater, and miscellaneous utility wastewaters from an existing organic and inorganic chemical manufacturing facility.
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, September 6, 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 permit application, draft permit, additional information, and fact sheet 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 http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/ .
Inquiries or requests for additional information regarding this permit action should be directed to Melanie Connor, LDEQ, Water Permits Division, P.O. Box 4313, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4313, phone (225) 219-3594.
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/ .
All correspondence should specify AI Number 3400, Permit Number LA0002933, and Activity Number PER20120004.
Scheduled Publication Date: Thursday, August 2, 2012
