Environmental Protection Agency Proposes Sandy Point Wastewater Treatment Plant Permit on Lummi Reservation
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to reissue a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for the Sandy Point Wastewater Treatment Plant, regulating pollutant discharges into waters of the United States to safeguard water quality and human health. The draft permit establishes limits on the types and amounts of pollutants that the facility can discharge into the Georgia Strait near Ferndale, Washington. The Lummi Tribal Sewer and Water District owns and operates the facility, which serves a resident population of 2,110 people.
Facility Operations and Discharge Location
The Sandy Point facility processes wastewater for its service population through a collection system that has no combined sewers and there are no major industries discharging to the facility. The plant discharges to the Georgia Strait near Ferndale, Washington. The Lummi Tribal Sewer and Water District facility is located at 4369 Germaine Road, Ferndale, WA 98248, under permit number WA0025658.
State Water Quality Certification and Neighboring Jurisdictions
Under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, individuals or entities seeking federal licenses or permits for activities that could cause a discharge into U.S. waters must first secure a waiver or certification from the relevant certifying authority in the origin jurisdiction. Since the plant releases effluent into state waters, the Washington Department of Ecology acts as the certifying authority and is currently gathering feedback concerning its plan to issue a certification for the permit. Furthermore, EPA is mandated by Clean Water Act Section 401(a)(2)—frequently referred to as the neighboring jurisdiction procedure—to alert any affected neighboring state or authorized Tribe whenever a discharge might impact their water quality. Once the agency obtains the final certification, EPA will evaluate whether the discharge could influence the water quality of a neighboring jurisdiction.
Public Records and Administrative Access
Copies of the draft modified permit and supporting documents are available. A copy of the current permit is also available online. Interested parties can request copies of the facility’s application and other information by contacting Sally Goodman via email at goodman.sally@epa.gov or by phone at 206-553-0782. Individuals who require accessibility accommodations related to this public notice must contact Sally Goodman at least one week before the end of comment period.
