EPA drafts Valdez terminal water discharge permit
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has drafted a wastewater discharge permit for Alyeska Pipeline Service Co.'s ballast water treatment facility and marine terminal at Valdez, Alas.
The permit is the first drafted for Prince William Sound that meets the requirements of the 1990 Oil Pollution Act (OPA), which was passed in reaction to the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill in the sound.
Chuck Clarke, EPA's Northwest regional administrator in Seattle, said, "All the principal parties with a direct stake in the outcome have contributed to the preparation of the permit so far. Not only does their participation in the drafting of the permit meet the terms of OPA, it also serves to avoid the wrangling that-the last time we issued Alyeska a permit-tied up the permit in more than 4 years of litigation."
The permit sets more stringent effluent limits for aromatic hydrocarbons, requires the effluent to meet Alaska's new standard for total aqueous hydrocarbons, places increased emphasis on pollution prevention, and mandates new monitoring procedures.
Workshop slated
EPA has scheduled an Aug. 15 workshop and hearing in Valdez on the proposed permit.
Interested parties have until Sept. 9 to file written comments. When the permit becomes final, it will replace one in effect since 1989.
The Alyeska terminal, near Jackson Point in Port Valdez, typically discharges 15 million gal/day of wastewater from the ballast water treatment plant and a sanitary waste plant.
Tankers arriving at the terminal discharge their ballast water, containing oil, grease, and toxic pollutants, into the treatment plant.
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