Town of Jonesboro Oxidation Pond Water Discharge Permit

LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (LDEQ) TOWN OF JONESBORO / SOUTH OXIDATION POND WATER DISCHARGE PERMIT   The LDEQ, Office of Environmental Services, is accepting written comments on a Louisiana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (LPDES) permit prepared for the Town of Jonesboro, South Oxidation Pond, P.O. Box 610, Jonesboro, Louisiana 71251.  The facility is located at 385 Industrial Drive in Jonesboro, Jackson Parish.  Upon the effective date of the final permit, the LPDES permit shall replace the previously issued LPDES permit, LA0038547.   The principal discharge from this source made into local drainage, thence into Antwine Creek, thence into Big Creek, thence into the Dugdemona River, waters of the state classified for primary contact recreation, secondary contact recreation and propagation of fish and wildlife.  Under the SIC 4952, the applicant proposes to discharge treated sanitary wastewater from a publicly owned treatment works serving South Jonesboro and two (2) prison facilities.   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 9, 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, 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 Ronda Burtch, LDEQ, Water Permits Division, P.O. Box 4313, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4313, phone (225) 219-3211.   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 statement of basis 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 42007, Permit Number LA0038547, and Activity Number PER20120001.