Notice of Availability of Proposed National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration, Development and Production Operations off Southern California

摘要

EPA Region 9 is proposing to reissue its general NPDES permit (permit No. CAG280000) for discharges from offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production facilities located in Federal waters off the coast of Southern California. This permit was issued on September 22, 2004, and modified on November 30, 2009. This notice announces the availability of the proposed general permit and fact sheet for public comment. For the most part, the proposed permit is very similar to the 2004 permit. The major changes from the 2004 permit include the following: (1) Reduced geographic area of coverage reflecting a reduction in the number of lease blocks considered active by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM); (2) revised effluent limits and monitoring requirements for produced water based on an updated reasonable potential analysis; (3) revised whole effluent toxicity (WET) requirements for produced water; (4) study requirement for cooling water intake structures; and (5) new requirements for an on-line oil and grease monitor for produced water. These changes are discussed in more detail below, and in the fact sheet accompanying the proposed general permit.