[Federal Register: September 5, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 172)]
[Notices]
[Page 46455]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05se01-75]
[[Page 46455]]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-7047-8]
EPA Region 8 ``Best Professional Judgment'' (BPJ) Determination
of Effluent Limitations That Represent Best Available Technology
Economically Achievable (BAT) for Coalbed Methane (CBM) Activities;
Announcement of a Meeting
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice, announcement of a meeting.
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SUMMARY: EPA Region VIII will conduct an informational meeting on its
efforts in developing a ``Best Professional Judgment'' (BPJ)
determination of effluent limitations that represent Best Available
Technology Economically Achievable (BAT) for Coalbed Methane (CBM)
activities in Region 8. The Agency will provide an overview of the
project. In December 2001, EPA intends to finalize the BPJ
determination for Coalbed Methane produced waters, for use in Region
8's Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) permitting activities. The meeting is open to the public, and
limited seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
DATES: The meeting will be held on September 25, 2001, 1:00 pm to 4:00
pm.
ADDRESSES: Sheraton Billings Hotel (Granite Room), 27 North 27th
Street, Billings, MT 59101. For information on accommodations and/or
directions, contact the hotel at 406-252-7400.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Reed, NPDES Permits Team,
Water Program, Office of Partnerships and Regulatory Assistance, EPA
Region VIII, 999 18th Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado 80202-2466;
telephone (303) 312-6132; e-mail: reed.mike@epa.gov
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Clean Water Act, in section 301(b),
requires the NPDES permitting authority to consider effluent limits
based both on the technology available to treat the pollutants and on
protection of the designated uses of the receiving water. These are
known as technology-based and water quality-based effluent limitations,
respectively. Section 301(b)(2)(A) of the Clean Water Act requires
effluent limitations that ``shall require the application of the best
available technology economically achievable for such category or
class, which will result in reasonable further progress toward the
national goal of eliminating the discharge of all pollutants.'' There
are two approaches for developing technology-based limits for
industrial facilities: (1) National effluent limitations guidelines
(ELGs) and (2) in the absence of ELGs, limitations developed on a case-
by-case basis using best professional judgment. Because CBM activities
were not significant and widespread when EPA developed the ELGs for the
Oil and Gas Point Source Category (40 CFR part 435), EPA did not
consider CBM in developing these guidelines and has not applied them to
CBM. Therefore, according to 40 CFR 125.3(c)(2), technology-based
limits for the CBM permits need to be developed using a BPJ case-by-
case analysis.
EPA Region 8, with the assistance of the EPA Office of Science and
Technology in Washington, DC, will do an economic analysis to assess
disposal options for water that is produced as part of the coalbed
methane (CBM) extraction process. The analysis will support a BPJ
determination of effluent limitations that represent Best Available
Technology Economically Achievable (BAT) for CBM produced waters in
Region 8. Several technologies are being considered for both technical
and economic feasibility, including several water treatment
technologies: zero discharge via reinjection, infiltration and/or
evaporation; and beneficial use of the effluent for agriculture and
wildlife. The main objectives of this action are to support EPA NPDES
permitting in Indian Country, fulfilling our trust responsibility with
Tribes to implement environmental laws and regulations, and to inform
the states and EPA in the implementation of their NPDES permit
programs.
The meeting will provide an update on the development of the BPJ
determination for BAT. EPA will discuss CBM operations in EPA Region 8,
feasibility and cost of produced water disposal options, and economic
and environmental impacts. EPA will also be soliciting additional
information prior to development of the draft analysis. The meeting is
not a mechanism for submitting formal comments and will not be recorded
nor transcribed. A more detailed agenda and other documents related to
the BPJ project will be available at the meeting. For those unable to
attend the meeting, EPA will make documents available at the EPA
website http://www.epa.gov/region08/water/wastewater/npdeshome/
cbm.html, and they can be obtained by an e-mail or telephone request to
Michael Reed at the above address.
Dated: August 15, 2001.
Kerrigan G. Clough,
Assistant Regional Administrator,Office of Partnerships and Regulatory
Assistance, Region VIII.
[FR Doc. 01-22279 Filed 9-4-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P