Public Notice: Chevron Mining Inc. Questa Mine- Draft NPDES Permit No. NM0022306 (w/ Public Meeting and Public Hearing on July 23, 2026)

Summary

EPA has formulated a draft permit for the Chevron Mining Inc. (CMI) Questa Mine under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).  Development of the draft permit was based on a preliminary staff review by EPA, Region 6, and consultation with applicable States and/or Tribes.  The permit will become effective 30 days after the close of the comment period unless:

A.     Applicable State and/or Tribe denies certification under section 401 of the Clean Water Act, or requests an extension for certification prior to the date.

B.     Comments received by deadlines listed for individual Public Notice(s) below in accordance with 40 CFR §124.20, warrant a public notice of EPA's final permit decision.

C.     A public hearing is held requiring delay of the effective date.

EPA will notify the applicant and each person who has submitted comments or requested notice of the final permit decision.  A final permit decision means a final decision to issue, deny, modify, revoke or reissue, or terminate a permit.  Any person who filed comments on or participated in a public hearing on the draft permit may appeal the Agency’s final permit decision.  However, the request must be submitted within 30 days of the date of the final permit decision and be in accordance with the requirements of 40 §CFR 124.19.

All data submitted by the applicant is available as part of the administrative record. Further information regarding the administrative record may be requested from the EPA contact above or viewed at the above address between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  It is recommended that you write or call to the contact below for an appointment, so the record(s) will be available at your convenience.

A Public Meeting, followed by a Public Hearing, will be held on Thursday July 23, 2026. The informal public meeting will start at 5:00 pm (MDT) and last until 6:00 pm (MDT).  There will be a short presentation on the draft permit followed by a question and answer session.  The Public Hearing will start at 6:30 pm (MDT) and last until no later than 8:30 pm (MDT).  The Public Hearing may close before 8:30 pm (MDT) should there be no further interested parties wishing to provide comments.  The Public Hearing, which will be recorded for the Record, allows interested parties to provide comments for the record, but is not an evidentiary hearing so there will be no opportunity for cross examination.  The public comment period will last until the date provided in the Public Notice and allows time for submittal of written comments following the Public Hearing.

Registration for the hearing can be done by emailing to R6NPDES@epa.gov  or in person at least thirty (30) minutes prior to the start of the hearing.  The public hearing will be held in accordance with the requirements of 40 CFR 124.12.  At the public hearing, any person may submit oral or written statements and data concerning the proposed permit.  Any person who cannot attend the public hearing may still submit written comments through the end of the comment period on August 11, 2026.     

Click here to view draft permit and associated documents

R6NPDES@epa.gov
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
NPDES Permitting and Wetland Section (6WD-PE)
1201 Elm Street, Suite 500
Dallas, Texas 75270-2102
 

Applicants or Respondents