Public Notice: Proposed wastewater permit for Naval Radio Station Jim Creek in Washington
Summary
EPA is proposing to reissue the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the Naval Radio Station Jim Creek located near Arlington, Washington.
The draft permit places conditions on the discharge of pollutants from the facility 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.
The U.S. Department of the Navy owns and operates the facility, which is permitted to discharge intermittent non-contact cooling water from the radio station transmitter to Jim Creek, a tributary of the Stillaguamish River. The facility has not discharged through the permitted outfall since 2016 when construction of an on-site infiltration basin was completed.
Applicant
U.S. Department of the Navy
Naval Radio Station Jim Creek
21027 Jim Creek Rd.
Arlington, WA 98223
Permit number: WA0026573
Water quality certification
Under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, a federal agency may not issue a permit or license to conduct any activity that may result in any discharge into waters of the United States unless a Section 401 water quality certification is issued, or certification is waived. States and authorized Tribes where the discharge would originate are generally responsible for issuing water quality certifications. In cases where a state or Tribe does not have authority, EPA is responsible for issuing certification.
EPA is requesting that the Washington Department of Ecology provide certification of the permit for this facility.
Comments regarding Ecology’s intent to certify the permit under Section 401 should be directed to Amanda Gillen (amgi461@ecy.wa.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, Ecology is the certifying authority and is accepting comment regarding the intent to certify this permit. After EPA receives final certification from Ecology, 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, Naval Radio Station Jim Creek, #WA0026573 (pdf)
- NPDES Permit Fact Sheet, Naval Radio Station Jim Creek, #WA0026573 (pdf)
A copy of the current permit is also available online at NPDES Permit for Naval Radio Station Jim Creek.
A copy of the facility's application and other information may be requested by contacting Cody Piscitelli (piscitelli.cody@epa.gov), 206-553-1169.