The Thames Shipyard and Repair Co., Inc., New London
Notice of Tentative Decision 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 DECISION
The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection ("the Commissioner") hereby gives notice of a tentative decision to renew a permit based on an application submitted by The Thames Shipyard and Repair Company, Inc. ("the Applicant") under Section 22a 430 of the Connecticut General Statutes for a permit to discharge into the waters of the state.
In accordance with applicable federal and state law, the Commissioner has made a tentative decision that the discharge will not cause pollution of the waters of the state and the Commissioner proposes to renew a permit for the discharge to the Thames River.
The proposed permit, if issued by the Commissioner, will require periodic monitoring to demonstrate that the discharge is not causing pollution.
2.0 APPLICANT'S PROPOSAL
The Thames Shipyard and Repair Company, Inc. proposes to discharge a maximum of 7,000,000 gallons per day of ballast water to the Thames River from dry docks at a shipbuilding facility.
The name and mailing address of the permit applicant are: The Thames Shipyard & Repair Company, Inc., 2 Ferry Street, New London, CT 06320.
The activity takes place at: 50 Farnsworth Street in New London, CT, at the west bank of the Thames River, one mile north of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge.
The proposed activity is within the coastal area as defined in C.G.S. Section 22a 94. Pursuant to C.G.S. Section 22a 98, the Applicant must demonstrate that the activities are consistent with all applicable goals and policies in C.G.S. Section 22a 92, and that such activities incorporate all reasonable measures mitigating any adverse impacts on coastal resources and future water dependent development activities.
3.0 REGULATORY CONDITIONS
Type of Treatment
DSNs 101-1 and 102-1: No treatment is necessary.
Effluent Limitations
This permit contains effluent limitations consistent with a Case-by-Case Determination using the criteria of Best Professional Judgment, which will protect the waters of the state from pollution when all the conditions of this permit have been met.
In accordance with Section 22a 430 4(l) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies the permit contains effluent limitations for pH and monitoring requirements for the following types of toxic substances: heavy metals.
4.0 COMMISSIONER’S AUTHORITY
The Commissioner 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 C.G.S. 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. 202309095 PERMIT ID NO. CT0030333
Interested persons may obtain copies of the application from Adam Wronowski, The Thames Shipyard and Repair Company, 2 Ferry Street, New London CT 06320, Adam@longislandferry.com, Phone No.: (860) 442-5349.
The application is available for inspection by contacting Oluwatoyin Fakilede at 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, Environmental Engineer 3, Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106-5127 or DEEP.IndustrialNPDESPublicComments@ct.gov and should indicate the Permit ID No. CT0030333 in the subject line. 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 (25) persons. Notice of any public hearing shall be published at least thirty (30) days prior to the hearing.
7.0 PETITIONS FOR HEARING
Petitions for a hearing shall be submitted within thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this public notice and 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. The Office of Adjudications will accept electronically filed petitions for hearing in addition to those submitted by mail or hand-delivered. Petitions with required signatures may be sent to deep.adjudications@ct.gov; those mailed or delivered should go to the DEEP Office of Adjudications, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106. If the signed original petition is only in an electronic format, the petition must be submitted with a statement signed by the petitioner that the petition exists only in that form. Original petitions that were filed electronically must also be mailed or delivered to the Office of Adjudications within 30 days of electronic submittal. Additional information can be found at 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 April 25, 2025.