Draft Discharge Permits for Federal Hydroelectric Projects in the Lower Columbia River

Public hearing: EPA will hold a public hearing on June 7 to accept comments on the State of Oregon’s objection under the Clean Water Act to EPA’s proposed discharge permits.

EPA is proposing to issue National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) for the following four hydroelectric generating facilities on the lower Columbia River operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:

Bonneville Project (WA0026778).
The Dalles Lock and Dam (WA0026701).
John Day Project (WA0026832).
McNary Lock and Dam (WA0026824).

On March 18, 2020, EPA proposed for public comment NPDES permits to authorize the discharges from the Lower Columbia River Hydroelectric Generating Facilities. The public notice closed on May 4, 2020. The draft permits did not include heat load effluent limits.

EPA is proposing changes to the draft permits to include heat load effluent limits. EPA accepted public comments on these draft permits from January 15 through February 16, 2021. Copies of the comments we received, as well as the revised draft permits and other supporting documents, are available below.

Public Comments on 2021 Draft NPDES Permits for Federal Hydroelectric Facilities in the Lower Columbia and Snake Rivers (pdf) (March 1, 2021)
Comments received by EPA within the public comment period from January 15 through February 16, 2021.
2021 NPDES Permit Fact Sheet, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lower Columbia River Hydroelectric Facilities: #WA0026778, #WA0026701, #WA0026832, #WA0026824 (pdf) (January 2021)
Technical basis for 2021 revised discharge permits for Bonneville Project; The Dalles Lock and Dam; John Day Project; and McNary Lock and Dam.
2021 Draft NPDES Permit, Bonneville Project, Lower Columbia River, #WA0026778 (pdf) (January 2021)
Proposed discharge permit.
2021 Draft NPDES Permit, The Dalles Lock and Dam, Lower Columbia River, #WA0026701 (pdf) (January 2021)
Proposed discharge permit.
2021 Draft NPDES Permit, John Day Project, Lower Columbia River, #WA0026832 (pdf) (January 2021)
Proposed discharge permit.
2021 Draft NPDES Permit, McNary Lock and Dam, Lower Columbia River, #WA0026824 (pdf) (January 2021)
Proposed discharge permit.
2020 NPDES Permit Fact Sheet, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lower Columbia River Hydroelectric Facilities: #WA0026778, #WA0026701, #WA0026832, #WA0026824 (pdf) (March 2020)
Technical basis for 2020 proposed discharge permits for Bonneville Project; The Dalles Lock and Dam; John Day Project; and McNary Lock and Dam.
2020 Draft NPDES Permit, Bonneville Project, Lower Columbia River, #WA0026778 (pdf) (March 2020)
Proposed discharge permit.
2020 Draft NPDES Permit, The Dalles Lock and Dam, Lower Columbia River, #WA0026701 (pdf) (March 2020)
Proposed discharge permit.
2020 Draft NPDES Permit, John Day Project, Lower Columbia River, #WA0026832 (pdf) (March 2020)
Proposed discharge permit.
2020 Draft NPDES Permit, McNary Lock and Dam, Lower Columbia River, #WA0026824 (pdf) (March 2020)
Proposed discharge permit.
Public Comments on 2020 Draft NPDES Permits for Federal Hydroelectric Facilities in the Lower Columbia and Snake Rivers (pdf)
Comments received by EPA within the public comment period from March 18 through May 4, 2020.