Public Notice: Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality certification request for the NPDES Permit MS0053503 which covers the discharge from the Pearl River Waste Water Treatment Facility, owned and operated by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.
Summary
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received a request for a Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 401 water quality certification (WQC). Section 401(a)(1) of the Clean Water Act requires applicants for federal permits and licenses that may result in any discharge into waters of the United States to obtain certification or waiver from the certifying authority where the discharge would originate.
The EPA acts as the certifying authority for discharges within the exterior boundaries Indian country on behalf of those Tribes that do not have EPA approval for treatment in a similar manner as a state (TAS) for the implementation of CWA Section 401; in this case, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.
The EPA will act on this certification request by either: (1) granting certification; (2) granting certification with conditions; (3) denying certification; or (4) expressly waiving certification consistent with CWA Section 401 and the EPA’s implementing regulations at 40 CFR Part 121.
The reissuance of NPDES permit MS0053503 will cover discharges from the Pearl River WWTF from approximately 02/01/2025 – 01/31/2030, pending permit issuance date. This proposed permit covers a facility that consists of physical treatment with an influent screen, followed by biological treatment with aeration and clarification. Before discharge, the effluent undergoes UV disinfection and passes through a post-treatment aeration chamber. There have been no changes to the treatment process at this facility, however, there have been changes to the effluent limits from the prior permit and there are new monitoring requirements. The facility serves approximately 17,750 people and is permitted for up to 1.5 million gallons per day. This facility discharges effluent from Outfall 001 which can be found at 32°47’20.21” N, 89°11’51.19” W in Wolf Creek in the Upper Pearl Basin (HUC 03180001).
EPA is requesting comments on its Clean Water Act section 401 water quality certification for this proposed project.
Applicants or Respondents
Mississippi Band of Choctaw IndiansPO Box 6366
Choctaw, MS 39350
United States