Public Notice: Proposed wastewater permit for Moclips River Estates on the Quinault Indian Reservation
Summary
EPA is proposing to reissue a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the Moclips River Estates Wastewater Treatment Plant on the Quinault Indian 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.
The Quinault Indian Nation owns and operates the wastewater treatment facility, which serves a resident population of 250. There are no major industries discharging to the facility, and the collection system has no combined sewers. The facility discharges to the Moclips River within the boundaries of Quinault Indian Reservation.
Applicant
Quinault Indian Nation
Moclips River Estates Wastewater Treatment Plant
715 Quinault Drive
Taholah, Washington 98587
Permit number: WA0026603
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.
EPA is requesting that the Quinault Indian Nation provide a certification of the permit for this facility under Clean Water Act Section 401.
Comments regarding the Quinault Indian Nation’s intent to certify the permit should be directed to Kiley Smith (kiley.smith@quinault.org), Quinault Division of Natural Resources, PO Box 189, Taholah, Washington 98587.
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 Quinault Indian Nation is the certifying authority and is accepting comment regarding the intent to certify the 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, Moclips River Estates WWTP, Quinault Indian Reservation, #WA0026603 (pdf)
- NPDES Permit Fact Sheet, Moclips River Estates WWTP, Quinault Indian Reservation, #WA0026603 (pdf)
A copy of the current permit is also available online at NPDES Permit for Moclips River Estates Wastewater Treatment Plant.
A copy of the facility's application and other information may be requested by contacting Cody Piscitelli (piscitelli.cody@epa.gov), 206-553-1169.