Public Notice: Proposed Permit for Ahsahka Wastewater Treatment Plant on the Nez Perce Reservation
Summary
EPA is proposing to reissue a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the Ahsahka Wastewater Treatment Plant located on the Nez Perce Reservation in Idaho.
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.
The Ahsahka Water and Sewer District owns and operates the wastewater treatment plant which provides wastewater service to a resident population of 207. The collection system has no combined sewers, and there are no major industries discharging to the facility. The facility discharges to the Clearwater River within the boundaries of Nez Perce Reservation.
Applicant
Ahsahka Water and Sewer District
P.O. Box 37
Ahsahka, ID 83520
Permit number: ID0025224
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 Nez Perce Tribal waters and the Tribe has not been approved for treatment as a state from EPA for purposes of the Clean Water Act for these waters, EPA is making the certification decision for this permit.
A draft 401 certification is included in Appendix H of the NPDES Permit 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 ID0025224" 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, Ahsahka Wastewater Treatment Plant, #ID0025224 (pdf)
- NPDES Permit Fact Sheet, Ahsahka Wastewater Treatment Plant, #ID0025224 (pdf)
A copy of the current permit is also available online. A copy of the facility's application and other information may be requested by contacting Bilin Basu (basu.bilin@epa.gov), 206-553-0029.