Public Notice: Proposed wastewater permit for Denali National Park in Alaska
Summary
EPA is proposing to reissue a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the Denali National Park Front Country Wastewater Treatment Plant in Alaska.
The draft permit places conditions on the discharge of pollutants from the wastewater treatment plant to waters of the United States. In order to ensure protection of water quality and human health, the permit places limits on the types and amounts of pollutants that can be discharged from the facility.
Denali National Park and Preserve owns and operates the wastewater treatment plant which provides wastewater service to park visitors and employees – a transient population estimated at 3,000 visitors per day and 180 employees. The collection system has no combined sewers and there are no major industries discharging to the facility.
The facility discharges to the Nenana River in Denali Borough, Alaska, within the boundaries of Denali National Park and Preserve.
Applicant
Denali National Park and Preserve
Front Country Wastewater Treatment Plant
P.O. Box 9
Denali National Park, AK 99755
Permit number: AK0053775
Water quality certification
Section 401 of the Clean Water Act requires applicants for federal licenses or permits to conduct any activity which may result in a discharge into waters of the United States to obtain a certification or waiver from the certifying authority where the discharge originates. In lands of exclusive federal jurisdiction, such as Denali National Park and Preserve, the state of Alaska does not have the authority to provide Section 401 certification. Therefore, EPA is making the certification decision for this permit.
A draft 401 certification is included in Appendix E of the Fact Sheet (see "administrative record" below). Comments regarding EPA's intent to certify the permit should be directed to Jamey Stoddard (stoddard.jamey@epa.gov).
Neighboring jurisdictions
Clean Water Act Section 401(a)(2) requires EPA to notify a neighboring state or authorized Tribe (i.e., neighboring jurisdiction) when the discharge may affect the quality of the neighboring jurisdiction’s waters.
As stated above, EPA is the certifying authority for this permit. Once EPA reviews any comments received regarding the intent to certify, and after the final certification is signed, we will determine whether the discharge may affect the quality of a neighboring jurisdiction’s waters.
Administrative record
Copies of the draft permit and supporting documents are available below:
- Draft NPDES Permit, Denali National Park Front Country WWTP, #AK0053775 (pdf)
- NPDES Permit Fact Sheet, Denali National Park Front Country WWTP, #AK0053775 (pdf)
A copy of the current permit is also available online at NPDES Permit for Denali National Park Front Country Wastewater Treatment Plant.
A copy of the facility's application and other information may be requested by contacting Jamey Stoddard (stoddard.jamey@epa.gov), 206-553-6110.