Proposed Modification of a General NPDES Permit for Facilities Related to Oil and Gas Extraction on the North Slope of the Brooks Range, Alaska (Permit Number AKG-31-0000)

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
 [Federal Register: November 10, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 217)]
[Notices]               
[Page 60505-60509]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10no97-68]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5918-1]

 
Proposed Modification of a General NPDES Permit for Facilities 
Related to Oil and Gas Extraction on the North Slope of the Brooks 
Range, Alaska (Permit Number AKG-31-0000)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of proposed modification of a general permit.

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SUMMARY: This proposed modification of a general permit is intended to 
regulate activities related to the extraction of oil and gas on the 
North Slope of the Brooks Range in the state of Alaska. The proposed 
modified general permit includes a provision to extend the area of 
coverage to include facilities off-shore of the North Slope Borough of 
Alaska. The extension would cover sanitary and/or domestic wastewater 
discharges, construction dewatering, and hydrostatic test water. The 
proposed modified general permit also includes a new outfall 
designation for the discharge of hydrostatic test waters. In addition, 
several sections of the permit have been changed to provide 
clarification on issues that have been confusing during the 
administration of the permit to date. When issued, the proposed 
modified permit will establish effluent limitations, standards, 
prohibitions and other conditions on discharges from covered 
facilities. These conditions are based on existing national effluent 
guidelines, the state of Alaska's Water Quality Standards and material 
contained in the administrative record. A description of the basis for 
the conditions and requirements of the proposed modified general permit 
is given in the fact sheet.

DATES: Interested persons may submit comments on the draft general 
permit to EPA, Region 10 at the address below. Comments must be 
received in the operations Office by December 10, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed modified general permit should be 
sent to Cindi Godsey, U.S. EPA, Region 10; Alaska Operations Office, 
222 W. 7th Street #19, Anchorage, Alaska, 99513-7588.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of the Draft Modified Permit 
and Fact Sheet are available upon request. Requests may be made to 
Jeanette Carriveau at (206) 553-1214 or to Cindi Godsey at (907) 271-
6561. Requests may also be electronically mailed to:

CARRIVEAU.JEANETTE@EPAMAIL.EPA.GOV or
GODSEY.CINDI@EPAMAIL.EPA.GOV

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866

    The Office of Management and Budget has exempted this action from 
the review requirements of Executive Order 12866 pursuant to Section 6 
of that order.

Regulatory Flexibility Act:

    After review of the facts presented in the notice printed above, I 
hereby certify pursuant to the provision of 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this 
modified general NPDES permit will not have a significant impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. Moreover, the permit reduces a 
significant administrative burden on regulated sources.

    Dated: October 30, 1997.
Philip G. Millam,
Director, Office of Water, Region 10
Fact Sheet
United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10, Anchorage 
Operations Office, Room 537, Federal Building 222 W. 7th Avenue, #19 
Anchorage, Alaska 99513-7588, (907) 271-6561

    Date: November 3, 1997.
    General Permit No. AKG-31-0000.
PROPOSED MODIFICATION OF A GENERAL NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE 
ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) PERMIT TO DISCHARGE POLLUTANTS PURSUANT TO 
THE PROVISIONS OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT (the Act) FOR

Facilities Related To Oil and Gas Extraction

    This fact sheet includes (a) the tentative determination of the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to modify the general permit, (b) 
information on public comment, public hearing and appeal procedures, 
(c) a description of the proposed discharges, and (d) a listing of 
tentative effluent limitations and other conditions.
    Persons wishing to comment on the tentative modifications contained 
in the proposed modified general permit may do so by the expiration 
date of the Public Notice. All written comments should be submitted to 
EPA as described in the Public Comments section.
    After the expiration date of the Public Notice, the Director, 
Office of Water, will make final determinations with respect to permit 
issuance. A General Permit follows rulemaking procedures so EPA's 
issuance and promulgation activities must be conducted in accordance 
with the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). The modifications in this 
general permit will become effective 30 days after publication of the 
final modified general permit in the Federal Register according to 
section 553(d) of the APA. Anyone wishing to appeal the modifications 
in this general permit must do so in court according to 40 CFR 124.71. 
Interested persons may challenge the modifications, within 120 days of 
issuance, in the Circuit Court of Appeals of the United States under 
section 509(b)(1) of the Act.
    The proposed NPDES modified general permit and other related 
documents are on file and may be inspected at the above address any 
time between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Copies and 
other information may be requested by writing to EPA at the above 
address to

[[Page 60506]]

the attention of Cindi Godsey, or by calling (907) 269-6561.

Technical Information

1. Summary of Modifications

    This proposed modified general permit includes a provision to 
extend the area of coverage to include facilities off-shore of the 
North Slope Borough of Alaska. This coverage area is already in effect 
for discharges from ice roads constructed of gravel pit water. The 
extension would cover sanitary and/or domestic wastewater discharges 
and construction dewatering.
    The modified proposed permit also includes a new outfall 
designation for the discharge of hydrostatic test waters. Hydrostatic 
testing must be done when pipe segments are newly installed or 
replaced. Water is used to pressure test the pipe to verify mechanical 
strength and integrity. This water is discharged when the hydrostatic 
testing is completed. Waters from hydrostatic testing can contain small 
quantities of residual materials that are left in the pipe prior to 
testing such as dust and welding slag. Common treatment and control 
measures used for hydrostatic testing waters include one or more of the 
following methods: velocity reduction on splash pads; erosion control; 
rubble mound infiltration into dry stream channels; settling ponds; 
pumping to upland areas; and/or pumping to ice and snow. The location 
and volume of discharges depend upon circumstances or the particular 
project involved.
    Several sections of the permit have been changed to provide 
clarification on issues that have been confusing during the 
administration of the permit to date. The monitoring requirements for 
settleable solids and turbidity have been changed to eliminate 
measurement of ``natural conditions'' if the effluent levels are low 
enough. Also, some changes have been made based on the additions, 
changes in regulation and redundancy of permit requirements. 
Renumbering of Permit Parts where necessary and the correction of 
typographical errors has been done without being noted.
    The basis for these additions and changes follow.

2. Coastal Guidelines

    The New Source Performance Standards in the Oil and Gas Extraction 
Point Source Category--Subpart D, Coastal Subcategory were promulgated 
December 16, 1996 (61 FR 66129). These include a provision for no 
discharge of garbage. This provision was not included in the original 
general permit, but is being added in this modification.

3. Receiving Waters

    The receiving waters for the hydrostatic test water discharges are 
waters of the United States including tundra wetlands along the Chukchi 
and Beaufort Sea coasts, which are classified in 18 AAC 70 as Classes 
(1)(A), (B), and (C) for use in drinking, culinary, and food 
processing, agriculture, aquaculture, and industrial water supply; 
contact and secondary recreation; and growth and propagation of fish, 
shellfish, other aquatic life and wildlife. Since these waterbodies are 
protected for all uses, the most restrictive water quality standards 
will be applied in this modified general permit.
    The receiving waters for the man camp sanitary and domestic 
discharges, hydrostatic test water discharges and construction 
dewatering in this permit modification include marine waters of the 
Chukchi or Beaufort Seas, which are classified in 18 AAC 70 as Classes 
(2)(A), (B), (C), and (D) for use in aquaculture, seafood processing, 
and industrial water supply; contact and secondary recreation; growth 
and propagation of fish, shellfish, other aquatic life, and wildlife; 
and harvesting for consumption of raw mollusks or other raw aquatic 
life.

4. Ocean Discharge Criteria Evaluation

    EPA has finalized a document entitled ``Ocean Discharge Criteria 
Evaluation for Area of Coverage Under the Arctic NPDES General Permit 
for Oil and Gas Exploration'' (ODCE). Since this document covers the 
same area and the same or similar pollutants of concern as this 
modified draft general permit, EPA is proposing to use this document to 
satisfy the requirements of section 403 of the Act.
    The additional discharges contained within this modified draft 
general permit that may be made to marine waters are sanitary and 
domestic wastewater from construction and operation camps, construction 
dewatering and hydrostatic test water discharges.
    The ODCE directly addresses the discharge of sanitary and domestic 
wastewaters. Sanitary discharges in the modified draft general permit 
are required to meet the state's secondary treatment standards as well 
as the state's water quality standards for fecal coliform and chlorine. 
Domestic discharges are not measured analytically, but are not expected 
to produce substantial pollutant loading. Neither of these discharges 
are expected to have a detrimental effect on the marine environment.
    The ODCE does not specifically address discharges from construction 
dewatering or hydrostatic test water discharges, but comparisons can be 
made. The water from both types of discharges must meet effluent 
limitations included in the permit. If followed, these limitations 
should assure a low level of sediment and turbidity, the primary 
pollutants of concern in the discharges. These discharges should be 
considered less of an environmental impact than the discharge of cement 
slurries which are addressed in the ODCE. No adverse impacts are 
expected from cement discharges so it is also expected that no adverse 
impacts will occur from construction dewatering or hydrostatic testing 
water discharges if the effluent limitations of the permit are met.

5. Statutory Basis For Permit Conditions

    Sections 301(b), 304, 308, 401, 402 and 403 of the Act provide the 
basis for the permit conditions contained in the modified draft general 
permit. The general requirements of these sections fall into three 
categories, which are described below. A discussion of the basis for 
specific permit conditions follows in part 6.
A. Technology-Based Effluent Limitations
    NPDES permits for industrial dischargers must incorporate effluent 
limitations which are based on the wastewater treatment technology that 
can be applied to each type of industry. The Act provides for the 
implementation of technology-based effluent limitations in two stages. 
First, dischargers were required to achieve effluent limitations which 
reflect the application of the best practicable control technology 
currently available (BPT). Second, dischargers were required to achieve 
effluent limitations which result from best available technology 
economically achievable (BAT) and best conventional pollutant control 
technology (BCT). BCT effluent limitations apply only to conventional 
pollutants (pH, BOD, oil and grease, suspended solids, and fecal 
coliform). In no case may BCT or BAT be less stringent than BPT. Where 
EPA has not yet developed guidelines for a particular industry, permit 
conditions must be established using Best Professional Judgement (BPJ) 
procedures. BPT will be used in lieu of BCT and BAT where EPA has not 
established these technology-based limitations.
    The effluent guidelines used in this modified general permit are 
part 435--

[[Page 60507]]

 Oil and Gas Extraction Point Source Category, Subpart A--Off-shore 
Category. The New Source Performance Standard (NSPS) limitations are 
applied to the discharge of sanitary and/or domestic wastewaters [40 
CFR 435.15].
B. State of Alaska Water Quality Standards and Limitations
    Section 301(b)(1) of the Act requires the establishment of 
limitations in permits necessary to meet water quality standards by 
July 1, 1977. All discharges to state waters must comply with state and 
local coastal management plans as well as with state water quality 
standards, including the state's antidegradation policy. Discharges to 
state waters must also comply with limitations imposed by the state as 
part of its coastal management program consistency determinations, and 
of its certification of NPDES permits under section 401 of the Act.
    The NPDES regulations at 40 CFR 122.44(d)(1) require that permits 
include water quality-based limits which ``Achieve water quality 
standards established under section 303 of the CWA, including State 
narrative criteria for water quality.''
C. Section 308 of the Clean Water Act
    Under section 308 of the Act and 40 CFR 122.44(i), the Director 
must require a discharger to conduct monitoring to determine compliance 
with effluent limitations and to assist in the development of effluent 
limitations. EPA has included several monitoring requirements in this 
permit, as listed below.

6. Specific Permit Conditions

    The determination of appropriate conditions for each discharge was 
accomplished through consideration of technology-based effluent 
limitations and inclusion of permit terms necessary to ensure 
compliance with state water quality standards. Discussions of the 
specific effluent limitations and monitoring requirements appear below.
A. Modular Camp Discharges--Off-shore
(1) Sanitary Wastewater Discharges
    The sanitary wastes are made up of human body wastes from the 
toilets and urinals. The volume and concentration of these wastes vary 
widely with time, occupancy, and operational status.
    (A) Technology-based limitations
    (i) NSPS Requirements [40 CFR 435.15]
    (a) Floating solids: For sanitary wastes the NSPS level of 
treatment prohibits floating solids for facilities continuously manned 
by 9 or fewer persons or intermittently manned by any number of 
persons.
    (b) Chlorine: The requirement of maintaining residual chlorine 
levels as close as possible to, but no less than 1 mg/L for sanitary 
discharges for facilities staffed by 10 or more people.
    (ii) Secondary Treatment
    [18 AAC 72.040 and 18 AAC 72.990(64)]
    (a) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD<INF>5</INF>): The regulations 
for secondary treatment require that BOD meet a 7 day average of 45 mg/
L, a 30 day average of 30 mg/L and the arithmetic mean of the values 
for effluent samples collected in a 24-hour period does not exceed 60 
mg/L.
    (b) Total Suspended Solids (TSS): The regulations for secondary 
treatment require that SS meet a 7 day average of 45 mg/L, a 30 day 
average of 30 mg/L and the arithmetic mean of the values for effluent 
samples collected in a 24-hour period does not exceed 60 mg/L.
    (c) pH: pH levels be maintained between 6 and 9 standard units.
    (B) State Water Quality Standards [18 AAC 70]
    The waterbodies considered to be potential receiving waters under 
this general permit are protected for all uses. The most protective 
criteria will be used in the permit. The marine and fresh water 
criteria result in identical permit limitations that are identical 
except for fecal coliform.
    (i) Fecal Coliform: The most protective criteria for fecal coliform 
is for the Harvesting for Consumption of Raw Mollusks or Other Raw 
Aquatic Life. The water quality standards (WQS) state, ``Based on a 5-
tube decimal dilution test, the fecal coliform median MPN may not 
exceed 14 FC/100 ml, and not more than 10% of the samples may exceed a 
fecal coliform median MPN of 43 FC/100 ml.''
    (ii) Chlorine: The most protective criteria for chlorine is for 
aquaculture. The WQS state, ``May not exceed 2.0 <greek-m>g/l for 
salmonid fish or 10.0 <greek-m>g/l for other organisms.'' The term 
``salmonid fish'' is defined in the permit as the family of fish, 
Salmonidae, which includes salmon, trout, grayling, whitefish, char, 
ciscoe and inconnu. The permit is structured so that there is some 
flexibility for those facilities discharging to waterbodies not 
designated for salmonid fish. The permittee is expected to consult 
Alaska Department of Fish and Game to determine whether the more 
restrictive limitation applies to their facility.
    (iii) pH: The most protective limitations are for aquaculture and 
the growth and propagation of fish, shellfish, other aquatic life and 
wildlife. This level is 6.5 to 8.5 standard units.
    A mixing zone for chlorine was incorporated into the original 
general permit through the Sec. 401 Certification for tundra discharges 
of sanitary wastewater. It is expected that a similar provision for 
sanitary wastewater discharges to an off-shore ice environment will be 
included in the Sec. 401 Certification of this general permit 
modification. If the State does not include the mixing zone, the water 
quality standards for chlorine will apply at the end of the pipe. The 
limitation on fecal coliform will assure that disinfection requirements 
are met without invoking the technology-based limitation requiring a 
minimum chlorine level.
(2) Domestic Wastewater Discharges
    Domestic wastewater refers to materials discharged from sinks, 
showers, laundries, safety showers, eyewash stations and galleys.
    (A) Technology-based Limitations
    NSPS Requirements [40 CFR 435.15]
    (i) No discharge of Floating solids.
    (ii) No discharge of Foam.
    (iii) No discharge of garbage.
    (B) Water quality-based Limitations
    Oil and Grease. Applicable state standards for oil and grease are 
limited to ``shall not cause a film, sheen, or discoloration on the 
surface or floor of the water body or adjoining shorelines.'' The 
potential source of oil and grease in this discharge would be excess 
cooking oils. While the ordinary cleaning of utensil and cooking 
appliances is acceptable, the discharge of excess cooking oil is not. 
EPA has determined that the state criteria can be met by requiring that 
no kitchen oils from food preparation be mixed with the wastewater 
being discharged.
    The requirement of low phosphate detergent use shall be included in 
the BMP Plan required for this type of discharge. The inclusion of this 
BMP will avoid the need for a phosphate limit yet still control 
nutrient loading.
(3) Combined Discharges
    If sanitary wastewaters are combined with domestic wastewaters, the 
entire flow is then considered to be sanitary wastewater and the 
limitations contained in the permit for sanitary wastes apply to the 
discharge.
B. Hydrostatic Test Water
(1) Technology-Based Limitations
    There are no EPA effluent guidelines for discharges from 
hydrostatic testing. Therefore, the limitations in this permit are 
based on Best Professional Judgement (BPJ) which has been

[[Page 60508]]

established for this type of discharge in the permit for Alyeska 
Pipeline Service, AK-005056-3. For this discharge, EPA is required to 
establish limitations that can be achieved through the use of Best 
Conventional Pollutant Control Technology (BCT).
    Sediment. The constituents of the discharge generated by 
hydrostatic testing are primarily small quantities of inorganic 
residual materials that are left in the pipe prior to testing, such as 
dust and welding slag. It has been determined that appropriate 
technology for these discharges are physical treatment methods, such as 
filtration, overland treatment, and/or settling ponds that can control 
settleable solids and turbidity. This technology is therefore 
established as BCT and BAT for hydrostatic testing discharges. The 
effluent limit for sediment is 0.2 ml/L.
Water Quality-Based Limitations
    (A) Sediment. There is a reasonable potential for violations to 
occur should pumping be conducted improperly. The sediment criteria 
calls for ``no measurable increase in concentrations of settleable 
solids above natural conditions, as measure by the volumetric Imhoff 
cone.''
    (B) Turbidity. Due to the nature of the discharge, a turbidity 
limitation is being proposed in the general permit for this category of 
discharge. According to the WQS, the most protective turbidity criteria 
applies to fresh water sources classified for use as drinking water and 
contact recreation not exceed 5 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU) 
above natural conditions when the natural turbidity when is 50 NTU or 
less; and more than 10% increase in turbidity when the natural 
conditions is more than 50 NTU, not to exceed a maximum increase of 25 
NTU.'' The most protective marine criteria is for aquaculture, contact 
and secondary recreation and states ``May not exceed 25 nephelometric 
turbidity units (NTU).''
    (C) pH. For fresh waters, the most protective limitations on pH are 
for aquaculture and contact recreation. This level is 6.5 to 8.5 
standard units. For marine waters, the most protective limitations are 
for aquaculture and the growth and propagation of fish, shellfish, 
other aquatic life and wildlife. This level is 6.5 to 8.5 standard 
units.
    Oil and Grease/Hydrocarbons. Applicable state standards for oil and 
grease are limited to ``shall not cause a film, sheen, or discoloration 
on the surfaces or floor of the water body or adjoining shorelines.'' 
EPA has determined that the state criteria can be met by a requirement 
of no discharge of floating solids, visible foam, or oily wastes which 
produce a sheen on the surface of the receiving water.

7. Best Management Practices (BMP) Plan and Monitoring Requirements

    The justification for these requirements in the modified general 
permit are the same as those used in the original general permit.

8. Notice of Intent (NOI) Language Modification

    The language in the original general permit was confusing to many 
permittees. The intent of the original language was to give exploration 
facilities the opportunity to notify EPA that there was going to be a 
discharge without specifying exactly where it would be until the last 
minute. The confusion came on the part of operators who knew where they 
would be and when they would be there.
    The new language does several things. It requires only one notice 
if a facility knows where the discharge will be when the notice is 
filed. The language still gives the opportunity to submit a notice 
without knowing an exact location and then giving more details at a 
later date. The language keeps the ability of a mobile camp to 
designate an area of coverage rather than a single point of discharge. 
The new language also clarifies the misconception that a permit was not 
effective until 45 days after the NOI was submitted. This was never the 
intent of this section. If an NOI was received on September 26 and the 
discharge was authorized by letter on September 29, the permit has no 
restrictions making the effective date of the permit 45 days after 
September 26. There are some permits that specify winter discharges 
that were issued in the summer. There is an expectation that a time 
delay applies in those instances.

9. Settleable Solids and Turbidity

    The footnote in tables where settleable solids monitoring is 
required has been changed so that monitoring of natural conditions is 
not mandatory if the effluent levels of this parameter are at low 
levels. This change occurs in the sections for gravel pit dewatering 
and construction dewatering. The water quality standards indicate that 
the limit on sediment via measuring settleable solids is ``No increase 
above natural conditions.'' A facility reporting non-detect (less than 
the detection level of 0.2 ml/L) for the discharge would be in 
compliance with the water quality standard no matter what the level of 
sediment was in the receiving water.
    The turbidity monitoring requirements have also been changed so 
that measurement of natural conditions is not required should the 
effluent measures show low levels. This change occurs in the sections 
for construction dewatering and appears in the section for hydrostatic 
testing discharges. The water quality standards indicate that the limit 
on turbidity is ``5 NTUs above natural conditions.'' A facility 
reporting 5 NTUs or less for the discharge would be in compliance with 
the water quality standard no matter what the level of turbidity was in 
the receiving water.

10. Redundancies, Changes and Additions

A. Redundancies
    (1) In Permit Part I.A. there seemed to be a redundancy in the 
table saying that discharges from these were covered in marine waters 
and then footnoting it to say that this would be off-shore of the 
coverage area. The footnote has been eliminated.
    (2) In Permit Parts II.A.1.c., II.A.3. and II.B.3. the original 
general permit required that a discharge be moved every 5 days with the 
basis of this requirement being avoidance of chlorine burn as well as 
nutrient and/or sediment loading of the tundra. This level of control 
is also expressed in the BMP requirements for these sections so the 
requirement dictating how something might be done has been removed 
since that the permit already says it must be done. This give 
facilities more flexibility in how they meet these requirements of the 
permit.
    (3) Permit Parts II.C.2. and II.D.2. have monitoring requirements 
that are specific to open water discharges when Permit Parts II.C.3.b. 
and II.D.3.b. say that monitoring to non-open waters does not apply. 
The footnotes in the tables have been revised to eliminate the mention 
of discharges to open waters.
B. Changes
    (1) In the original general permit, Permit Parts II.C.3.b. and 
II.D.3.b. said, ``Although effluent limitations will not be measured * 
* *'' In the development of this modification, it was pointed out that 
limitations are not measured but parameters are. This change has been 
incorporated into this modification.
    (2) Permit Part IV.B.1. lists the civil and administrative 
penalties for a violation of the permit as $25,000. A change to $27,500 
was noticed in the Federal Register (61 FR 69369, December 31, 1996) so 
this new level is included in the modification of this general permit.
    (3) Permit part II.F.1. has been changed due to changes in the

[[Page 60509]]

notification requirements to gain coverage under this general permit. 
Since the second notice is no longer required from all facilities, the 
BMP Plan is required to be certified at least seven days prior to the 
initiation of discharges. The time frame is the same as in the original 
general permit but the link to a second notice has been removed.
C. Additions
    In Permit Part VI. (Definitions), the definitions of the terms 
garbage, off-shore, open waters and victual waste have been added based 
on other additions and changes to the general permit.

11. Other Legal Requirements

A. Oil Spill Requirements
    Section 311 of the Act prohibits the discharge of oil and hazardous 
materials in harmful quantities. Routine discharges specifically 
controlled by a permit are excluded from the provisions of section 311. 
However, this general permit does not preclude the institution of legal 
action or relieve permittees from any responsibilities, or penalties 
for other, unauthorized discharges of oil and hazardous materials which 
are covered by section 311 of the Act.
B. Coastal Zone Management Act
    A determination that the activities allowed by this draft modified 
general permit are consistent with the Alaska Coastal Management Plan 
must be made in accordance with the Coastal Zone Management Act before 
a permit will be issued.
C. State Water Quality Standards and State Certification
    Whereas state waters are involved in this draft modified general 
permit, the provisions of section 401 of the Act will apply. 
Furthermore, in accordance with 40 CFR 124.01(c)(1), public notice of 
the draft modified permit has been provided to the State of Alaska and 
Alaska state agencies having jurisdiction over fish, shellfish, and 
wildlife resources, and over coastal zone management plans.
D. Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act
    No marine sanctuaries as designated by this Act exist in the 
vicinity of the permit areas.
E. Endangered Species Act
    EPA has made a decision that the discharges authorized in this 
modified general permit are not likely to affect species of concern in 
the project area. Letters were sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (USFW) and to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) on 
October 6, 1997, requesting information to the extent of threatened and 
endangered species on the North Slope of Alaska relating to the 
modifications in this proposed modified general permit.

References

Eddy, Samuel and James C. Underhill. How to know the freshwater fishes.
Snoeyink, Vernon L. and David Jenkins. 1980. Water Chemistry.
U.S. EPA. 1993. Guidance Manual for Developing Best Management 
Practices (BMP). October 1993.
U.S. EPA. 1995. Ocean Discharge Criteria Evaluation for Area of 
Coverage Under the Arctic NPDES General Permit for Oil and Gas 
Exploration. Prepared with the assistance of Tetra Tech, Inc. March 
1995.
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit AK-
005056-3 with corresponding fact sheet. Effective July 30, 1993. 
Expires July 30, 1998.

[FR Doc. 97-29392 Filed 11-7-97; 8:45 am]
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Proposed Modification of a General NPDES Permit for Facilities Related to Oil and Gas Extraction on the North Slope of the Brooks Range, Alaska (Permit Number AKG-31-0000)

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