METHANEX USA, LLC, GEISMAR METHANOL PLANT

PUBLIC NOTICE

LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (LDEQ)

METHANEX USA, LLC, GEISMAR METHANOL PLANT

 WATER DISCHARGE PERMIT

The LDEQ, Office of Environmental Services, is accepting written comments on a  Louisiana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (LPDES) permit prepared for Methanex USA, LLC, Geismar Methanol Plant, Post Office Box 85330, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70884.  The facility is located at 4279 Louisiana Highway 73 in Geismar, Ascension Parish.

The principal discharge from this  source  made into the Mississippi River (Outfall 001) and the New River via local drainage (Outfalls 003, 005, and 006), waters of the state classified for primary contact recreation, secondary contact recreation, fish and wildlife propagation, and drinking water supply (Subsegement 070301 - Outfall 001) and primary contact recreation, secondary contact recreation, and fish and wildlife propagation (Subsegment 040404 - Outfalls 003, 005, and 006).  Under the SIC  2869, the applicant proposes to discharge process wastewater, process area stormwater runoff, utility wastewaters, miscellaneous wastewater, and treated sanitary wastewater (Outfall 001); post first-flush process and non-process area stormwater runoff and hydrostatic test wastewater (Outfalls 003 and 005); and non-process area stormwater runoff (Outfall 006) from a proposed organic 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, February 6, 2014.  Delivery may be made to the drop-box at 602 N. 5^th 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 (associated correspondence), draft permit, and  are available for review at the LDEQ, Public Records Center, Room 127, 602 North 5^th 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/.

All correspondence should specify AI Number 181192, Permit Number LA0126756, and Activity Number PER20130001.

Scheduled Publication Date: January 2, 3014