Public Notice: Proposed Permit for Gooseberry Point Wastewater Treatment Plant on the Lummi Reservation
Summary
EPA is proposing to reissue a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the Gooseberry Point Wastewater Treatment Plant located on the Lummi Reservation in Washington.
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.
Lummi Tribal Sewer and Water District owns and operates the wastewater treatment plant which provides wastewater service to a resident population of 2,771. The collection system has no combined sewers and there are no major industries discharging to the facility. The facility discharges to Hale Passage near Bellingham, Washington.
Applicant
Lummi Tribal Sewer and Water District
4369 Germaine Road
Ferndale, WA 98248
Permit number: WA0025666
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 state waters, the Washington Department of Ecology is the certifying authority and is accepting comment regarding its intent to certify this permit.
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, the Washington Department of Ecology is the certifying authority for this permit. After the final certification is received, EPA will determine whether the discharge may affect the quality of a neighboring jurisdiction’s waters.
Administrative record
Copies of the draft modified permit and supporting documents are available below:
- Draft NPDES Permit, Gooseberry Point WWTP, Lummi Reservation, #WA0025666 (pdf)
- NPDES Permit Fact Sheet, Gooseberry Point WWTP, Lummi Reservation, #WA0025666 (pdf)
A copy of the current permit is also available online. Copies of the facility's application and other information may be requested by contacting Sally Goodman (goodman.sally@epa.gov), 206-553-0782.