EPA to Weigh Public Comment on New Wastewater Permit for Gary Works
10/16/2009 - EPA Region 5 withdraws its earlier objections to a 2007 version of Indiana's wastewater discharge permit for U.S. Steel's Gary Works. EPA is withholding final judgment on the new draft permit until a 45-day comment period is completed.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has withdrawn its earlier objections to a 2007 version of Indiana's wastewater discharge permit for U.S. Steel's Gary Works. EPA is withholding final judgment on the new draft permit until Indiana Department of Environmental Management's (IDEM) 45-day comment period, including a Nov. 18 public hearing, is completed and all comments considered.
IDEM recently proposed a revised draft permit for the steel mill that addresses objections raised by EPA in October 2007. The new draft permit requires lower discharge levels than currently allowed for a number of pollutants including ammonia, metals, organic compounds, and suspended solids. No pollutants can be discharged at a higher rate than the current permit allows.
EPA had formally objected to parts of the proposed 2007 IDEM permit and advised IDEM that those concerns would need to be fully resolved before any permit could be issued. Since a public hearing held in December 2007, EPA says it has worked closely with IDEM to address both EPA's and the public's concerns.
EPA has concluded that the revised draft now meets or exceeds all applicable federal and state requirements, but it believes that a thorough public review and comment period are warranted.
The Clean Water Act requires facilities that discharge into U.S. waters to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, which sets limits on pollutants. U.S. Steel Gary Works discharges water used in its operations into both the Grand Calumet River and Lake Michigan.
IDEM recently proposed a revised draft permit for the steel mill that addresses objections raised by EPA in October 2007. The new draft permit requires lower discharge levels than currently allowed for a number of pollutants including ammonia, metals, organic compounds, and suspended solids. No pollutants can be discharged at a higher rate than the current permit allows.
EPA had formally objected to parts of the proposed 2007 IDEM permit and advised IDEM that those concerns would need to be fully resolved before any permit could be issued. Since a public hearing held in December 2007, EPA says it has worked closely with IDEM to address both EPA's and the public's concerns.
EPA has concluded that the revised draft now meets or exceeds all applicable federal and state requirements, but it believes that a thorough public review and comment period are warranted.
The Clean Water Act requires facilities that discharge into U.S. waters to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, which sets limits on pollutants. U.S. Steel Gary Works discharges water used in its operations into both the Grand Calumet River and Lake Michigan.
