Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Electric Boat Corporation, Groton

Notice of Tentative Determination of Intent to Renew a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit into the Waters of the State of Connecticut

1.0 TENTATIVE DETERMINATION
The Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (“DEEP” or “Department”) hereby gives notice of a tentative determination to renew a permit based on an application submitted by Electric Boat Corporation ("the applicant") under Section 22a 430 of the Connecticut General Statutes (“CGS”) for a permit to discharge into the waters of the state. The tentative determination to renew the permit also includes an interim decision regarding Section 316(a) of the federal water pollution control act, 33 U.S.C. § 1326(a) that the permit will assure the protection and propagation of a balanced indigenous population of shellfish, fish and wildlife in and on the receiving waters and a decision regarding best technology available under Section 316(b) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1326(b).

In accordance with applicable federal and state law, the Commissioner has made a tentative decision that 1) with respect to DSN 001E and DSN 002C, continuance of the existing system to treat the discharge when necessary would protect the waters of the state from pollution; 2) with respect to DSN 001-A, DSN 001-B, DSN 001-C, DSN 001-D, DSN 002-A, DSN 002-B, DSN 003-1, DSN 004-1, DSN 007-A, DSN 007-B, continuance of the existing discharge would not cause pollution of the waters of the state; and 3) with respect to DSN 001-G, DSN 001-H, DSN 002-D, DSN 002-E, DSN 002-F, DSN 002-G, DSN 003-2, DSN 003-3, DSN 003-4, DSN 003-5, DSN 003-6, DSN 003-7, DSN 003-8, DSN 003-9, DSN 003-10, DSN 003-11, DSN 003-12, DSN 003-13, DSN 004-2, DSN 004-3, DSN 004-4, DSN 004-5, DSN 004-6, DSN 004-7, DSN 004-8, DSN 004-9, DSN 004-10, DSN 101-1, DSN 101-2, DSN 101-3, DSN 101-4, DSN 101-5, DSN 101-6, DSN 101-7, DSN 101-8, DSN 101-9, DSN 102-1, DSN 102-2, DSN 102-3, DSN 102-4, DSN 102-5, DSN 102-6, DSN 102-7, DSN 102-8, DSN 102-9, DSN 103-1, DSN 103-2, DSN 103-3, DSN 103-4, DSN 103-5, DSN 104-1, DSN 104-2, DSN 104-3, DSN 104-4, DSN 104-5, DSN 104-6, DSN 104-7, DSN 104-8, DSN 104-9, DSN 104-10, DSN 105-1, DSN 105-2, DSN 105-3, DSN 105-4, DSN 106-1 and DSN 106-2, such discharge would not cause pollution of the waters of the state and the Commissioner proposes to renew a permit for the discharges to Thames River.

The proposed permit, if issued by the Commissioner, will require treatment of some wastewaters to meet applicable effluent limitations and periodic monitoring to demonstrate that the discharges will not cause pollution.

2.0 APPLICANT'S PROPOSAL
Electric Boat Corporation proposes to discharge a maximum daily flow of 91,080,937 gallons per day of graving dock dewatering wastewater, non-contact cooling wastewaters, and wastewaters from shipbuilding operations to the Thames River from a shipbuilding facility in Groton.

The name and mailing address of the permit applicant are: Electric Boat Corporation, 75 Eastern Point Road, Groton, CT 06340.

The activity takes place at: 75 Eastern Point Road, Groton, CT 06340.

3.0 REGULATORY CONDITIONS

3.1 Type of Treatment
DSN 001-A, DSN 001-B, DSN 001-C, DSN 001-D, DSN 002-A, DSN 002-B, DSN 003-1, DSN 004-1, DSN 007-A, DSN 007-B, DSN 001-G, DSN 001-H, DSN 002-D, DSN 002-E, DSN 002-F, DSN 002-G, DSN 003-2, DSN 003-3, DSN 003-4, DSN 003-5, DSN 003-6, DSN 003-7, DSN 003-8, DSN 003-9, DSN 003-10, DSN 003-11, DSN 003-12, DSN 003-13, DSN 004-2, DSN 004-3, DSN 004-4, DSN 004-5, DSN 004-6, DSN 004-7, DSN 004-8, DSN 004-9, DSN 004-10, DSN 101-1, DSN 101-2, DSN 101-3, DSN 101-4, DSN 101-5, DSN 101-6, DSN 101-7, DSN 101-8, DSN 101-9, DSN 102-1, DSN 102-2, DSN 102-3, DSN 102-4, DSN 102-5, DSN 102-6, DSN 102-7, DSN 102-8, DSN 102-9, DSN 103-1, DSN 103-2, DSN 103-3, DSN 103-4, DSN 103-5, DSN 104-1, DSN 104-2, DSN 104-3, DSN 104-4, DSN 104-5, DSN 104-6, DSN 104-7, DSN 104-8, DSN 104-9, DSN 104-10, DSN 105-1, DSN 105-2, DSN 105-3, DSN 105-4, DSN 106-1 and DSN 106-2: No treatment.

DSN 001-E and DSN 002-C: Cloth filtering for solids removal for the hydro blasting wastewater.

3.2 Effluent Limitations
This permit contains effluent limitations applicable to the external outfalls consistent with Best Available Technology (BAT) and a case-by-case determination using the criteria of Best Professional Judgement.  These limitations will ensure compliance with water quality standards including the antidegradation policy. 

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 and volatile organic compounds. Refer to the fact sheet for additional information.

3.3 Compliance Schedule
This permit contains enforceable compliance schedules that require the applicant to:   
1. Install or retrofit Intakes 001-T, 002-T, 003-T, 004-T, 005-T and 006-T with 2mm mesh screen and a through screen velocity that is lower or equal to 0.5 fps;
2. Propose alternative actions and implement the preferred action(s) to achieve compliance with effluent limitations contained in the permit; and
3. Conduct a thermal verification study and submit the report for the Commissioner’s review and concurrence.

4.0 COMMISSIONER’S AUTHORITY
Commissioner of the Department 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. and 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 IFORMATION REQUESTS
The application has been assigned the following numbers by the Department. Please use these numbers when corresponding with this office regarding this application.

APPLICATION NO. 201006743       PERMIT ID NO. CT0003824
 
Interested persons may obtain copies of the application from Michael S. Sinko, Electric Boat Corporation, 75 Eastern Point Road, Groton, CT 06340,  msinko@gdeb.com, Phone No.: (860) 433-2791.

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 to 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 New London Day on August 1, 2024.
Draft Permit
Fact Sheet