Ahlstrom Nonwovens LLC, Windsor Locks
Notice of Tentative Determination of Intent to Renew a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit for the Following Discharges into the Waters of the State of Connecticut
1.0 TENTATIVE DETERMINATIONThe Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection hereby gives notice of a tentative decision to renew a permit based on an application submitted by Ahlstrom Nonwovens LLC ("the applicant") under section 22a 430 of the Connecticut General Statutes for a permit to discharge into the waters of the state. The tentative decision to renew the permit includes a tentative decision regarding section 316(a) and 316(b) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1326.
In accordance with applicable federal and state law, the Commissioner has made a tentative decision that 1) for DSN 008 and internal wastestream DSN 08F, continuance of the existing system to treat the discharge would protect the waters of the state from pollution, and 2) for DSN 013, DSN 014, DSN 015, continuance of the existing discharges would not cause pollution of the waters state. The Commissioner proposes to renew a permit for the discharges to the Connecticut River, Windsor Locks Canal, and the Kettle Brook.
The proposed permit, if issued by the Commissioner, will require that wastewaters discharged via DSN 008-1 be treated to meet the applicable effluent limitations and periodic monitoring of DSN 013, DSN 014 and DSN 015 to demonstrate that the discharges will not cause pollution.
2.0 APPLICANT'S PROPOSAL
Ahlstrom Nonwoven LLC proposes to discharge 9,002,000 gallons per day of day of non-contact cooling wastewaters, process wastewaters and fire suppression system testing wastewater to the Connecticut River, Windsor Locks Canal, and the Kettle Brook from operations at a pulp and paper facility located in Windsor Locks.
The name and mailing address of the permit applicant are: Ahlstrom Nonwoven LLC, 2 Elm Street, Windsor Locks, CT 06096.
The proposed activity will take place at: 26 Canal Bank Road, Windsor Locks, CT 06096 at about 1000 feet south of Route 140 Bridge.
3.0 REGULATORY CONDITIONS
Type of Treatment
DSN 008-1: Dechlorination, Neutralization, Coagulation, Aeration, Clarification and Sludge Dewatering.
DSN 013, DSN 014 and DSN 015: No treatment is necessary.
Effluent Limitations
This permit contains effluent limitations consistent with 40 CFR 430 Subpart L - Best Available Technology (BAT), and a Case-by-Case Determination using the Best Professional Judgement criteria, which will meet Water Quality Standards when the applicant complies with all permit requirements.
In accordance with section 22a 430 4(l) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, the permit contains effluent limitations for the following types of toxic substances: heavy metals, phenols and total residual chlorine.
Compliance Schedule
This permit contains an enforceable compliance schedule which requires the applicant to submit a per – and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) sampling plan for the Commissioner’s review and approval and perform sampling upon approval of the sampling plan.
4.0 COMMISSIONER’S AUTHORITY
The Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is authorized to approve or deny such permits pursuant to section 402(b) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act,
as amended, 33 USC 1251, et. seq., section 22a 430 of the Connecticut General Statutes, and the Water Discharge Permit Regulations (section 22a 430 3 and 4 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies).
5.0 INFORMATION REQUESTS
The application has been assigned the following numbers by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Please use these numbers when corresponding with this office regarding this application.
APPLICATION NO. 201402656 PERMIT ID NO. CT0000434
Interested persons may obtain copies of the application from Gary Jackson, Ahlstrom Nonwovens LLC, 2 Elm Street, Windsor Locks, CT 06096, (860) 654-8556 or gary.jackson@ahlstrom.com.
The application is available for inspection by contacting Oluwatoyin Fakilede at 860-424 3025 or oluwatoyin.fakilede@ct.gov, at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106 5127 from 8:30 4:30, Monday through Friday.
Any interested person may request in writing that his or her name be put on a mailing list to receive notice of intent to issue any permit to discharge to the surface waters of the state. Such request may be for the entire state or any geographic area of the state and shall clearly state in writing the name and mailing address of the interested person and the area for which notices are requested.
6.0 PUBLIC COMMENT
Prior to making a final decision to approve or deny any application, the Commissioner shall consider written comments on the application from interested persons that are received within 30 days of this public notice. Written comments should be directed to Oluwatoyin Fakilede, Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106 5127 or oluwatoyin.fakilede@ct.gov. The Commissioner may hold a public hearing prior to approving or denying an application if in the Commissioner's discretion the public interest will be best served thereby and shall hold a hearing upon receipt of a petition signed by at least twenty five persons. Notice of any public hearing shall be published at least 30 days prior to the hearing.
Petitions for a hearing should include the application number noted above and also identify a contact person to receive notifications. Petitions may also identify a person who is authorized to engage in discussions regarding the application and, if resolution is reached, withdraw the petition. Original signed petitions may be scanned and sent electronically to deep.adjudications@ct.gov or may be mailed or delivered to: DEEP Office of Adjudications, 79 Elm Street, 3rd floor, Hartford, 06106-5127. All petitions must be received within the comment period noted above. If submitted electronically, original signed petitions must also be mailed or delivered to the address above within ten days of electronic submittal. If a hearing is held, timely notice of such hearing will be published in a newspaper of general circulation. For additional information go to www.ct.gov/deep/adjudications.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you are seeking a communication aid or service, have limited proficiency in English, wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint, or require some other accommodation, including equipment to facilitate virtual participation, please contact the DEEP Office of Diversity and Equity at 860-418-5910 or by email at deep.accommodations@ct.gov. Any person needing an accommodation for hearing impairment may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711. In order to facilitate efforts to provide accommodation, please request all accommodations as soon as possible following notice of any agency hearing, meeting, program, or event.
/s/Audra Dickson, Director
Water Permitting and Enforcement Division
Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Published in the Hartford Courant on November 21, 2023.
Draft Permit
Fact Sheet