Public Notice: Proposed Discharge Permit for Eldorado Creek Suction Dredge in Alaska
Summary
EPA is proposing to reissue a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the Eldorado Creek Suction Dredge at Liberty Claims, located within Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska.
The draft permit places conditions on the discharge of pollutants from the suction dredge mining operation 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.
Eldorado Ventures LLC owns and operates the mining operation, which is a floating suction dredge focused on the extraction of gold from deposits found in the streambed along Eldorado Creek. The facility discharges to Eldorado Creek in Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska, which is a land of exclusive federal jurisdiction.
Applicant
Eldorado Ventures LLC
Eldorado Creek, Liberty Claims
6550 Limestone Circle
Anchorage, AK 99507
Permit number: AK0053791
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.
Since this facility discharges to lands of exclusive federal jurisdiction, EPA is making the certification decision for this permit. A draft 401 certification is included in Appendix C of the Fact Sheet (see "administrative record" below).
Comments regarding EPA's intent to certify the permit should be sent by email to EPAR10WD-NPDES@epa.gov (please include "Comments on EPA's intent to certify draft permit AK0053791" in the subject line.
Neighboring jurisdictions
Clean Water Act Section 401(a)(2), more commonly known as the neighboring jurisdiction process, 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, EPA 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, Eldorado Creek Suction Dredge, #AK0053791 (pdf)
- NPDES Permit Fact Sheet, Eldorado Creek Suction Dredge, #AK0053791 (pdf)
A copy of the current permit is also available.
A copy of the facility's application and other information may be requested by contacting Hunter Whitten (whitten.hunter@epa.gov), 208-378-5772.