[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 80 (Thursday, April 26, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20847-20848]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-7999]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8306-3]


Reissuance of General NPDES Permit (GP) for Alaskan Small Suction 
Dredging (Permit Number AKG-37-5000)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final notice of reissuance of a general permit.

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SUMMARY: On June 4, 2007, a general permit regulating the activities of 
small suction dredge mining for gold placer mining operations in the 
State of Alaska expires. On January 16, 2007, EPA proposed to reissue 
this GP. There was a 45 day comment period.
    On April 4, 2007, the Department of Natural Resources, Office of 
Project Management and Permitting agreed with EPA's consistency 
determination under the Alaska Coastal Management Act. The Department 
of Environmental Conservation certified the GP under section 401 of the 
Clean Water Act on April 16, 2007. EPA received several comments on the 
GP and has prepared a Response to Comments. EPA has determined that 
each facility submitting a new Notice of Intent (NOI) prior to the 
expiration date of the current permit will be automatically covered by 
the reissued GP.

DATES: The GP will be effective on June 5, 2007. Since coverage between 
the current GP and the reissued GP is continuous, there is no 
administrative extension of coverage under this GP.

[[Page 20848]]


ADDRESSES: Copies of the GP and the Response to Comments are available 
upon request. Written requests may be submitted to EPA Region 10, 1200 
Sixth Avenue OWW-130, Seattle, WA 98101. Electronic requests may be 
mailed to: [email protected] or [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The GP, Fact Sheet, and Response to 
Comments may be found on the Region 10 Web site at http://www.epa.gov/r10earth/waterpermits.htm (click on general permits then on placer 
mining). Telephone requests for copies may be made to Audrey Washington 
at (206) 553-0523 or to Cindi Godsey at (907) 271-6561.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Executive Order 12866: The Office of Management and Budget has 
exempted this action from the review requirements of Executive Order 
12866 pursuant to Section 6 of that order.
    Regulatory Flexibility Act: After review of the facts presented in 
the notice printed above, I hereby certify pursuant to the provision of 
5 U.S.C. 605(b) that the reissuance of this general permit will not 
have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
Moreover, the permit reduces a significant administrative burden on 
regulated sources.

    Dated: April 19, 2007.
Michael F. Gearheard,
Director, Office of Water & Watersheds, Region 10.
 [FR Doc. E7-7999 Filed 4-25-07; 8:45 am]
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