Enviros Still Oppose U.S. Steel’s Draft NPDES Permit

Nov 12: In a release, the Alliance for the Great Lakes announced that the region’s third-largest discharger of arsenic and lead could continue releasing "unlimited amounts of arsenic" and only slightly less lead to Great Lakes waters under a proposed Indiana permit. The Alliance is encouraging the public to demand stricter pollution limits at a hearing on the draft wastewater discharge permit for U.S. Steel’s Gary Works plant, scheduled for 6 PM Wednesday, November 18 in Gary. Those unable to attend the hearing can submit written comments through November 30.

Lyman Welch, the Alliance Water Quality Program manager said, “Strong pollution limits need to be written into the permit now. Or we’ll spend more time and taxpayer dollars getting this pollution out of the water later.” The Alliance said despite numerous permit revisions to resolve objections from EPA as well as comments from their comments and those from other environmental groups, "the revised permit still falls short." Welch said, “While we are pleased with many improvements made in the proposed permit since the last public hearing, Indiana must go further to reduce toxic chemicals dumped into Lake Michigan from storm water runoff.”

On October 15, 2009, U.S. EPA Region 5 withdrew its earlier objections to a 2007 version of Indiana's wastewater discharge permit for U.S. Steel's Gary Works [See WIMS 10/19/09]. EPA said it was withholding final judgment on the new draft permit until Indiana Department of Environmental Management's 45-day comment period, including the November 18 public hearing, is completed and all comments are considered. On October 14, IDEM proposed the revised draft permit for the steel mill that EPA said "addresses objections raised by EPA in October 2007." EPA said, "The new draft permit requires lower discharge levels than currently allowed for a number of pollutants including ammonia, metals, organic compounds and suspended solids. No pollutants can be discharged at a higher rate than the current permit allows."

Access a release from the Alliance with links to additional information including the draft permit (click here). Access more information and background from EPA (click here). Access an IDEM fact sheet (click here).

EPA Withdraws Objections To U.S. Steel's Gary Works NPDES Permit

Oct 15: U.S. EPA Region 5 withdrew its earlier objections to a 2007 version of Indiana's wastewater discharge permit for U.S. Steel's Gary Works [See WIMS 11/24/07]. EPA is withholding final judgment on the new draft permit until Indiana Department of Environmental Management's 45-day comment period, including a November 18 public hearing, is completed and all comments considered. On October 14, IDEM proposed a revised draft permit for the steel mill that addresses objections raised by EPA in October 2007. The new draft permit requires lower discharge levels than currently allowed for a number of pollutants including ammonia, metals, organic compounds and suspended solids. No pollutants can be discharged at a higher rate than the current permit allows.

EPA had formally objected to parts of the proposed 2007 IDEM permit and advised IDEM that those concerns would need to be fully resolved before any permit could be issued. In December 2007, EPA held a public hearing in Northwest Indiana to solicit more public input. Since that time, EPA has worked closely with IDEM to address both EPA's and the public's concerns. EPA has concluded that the revised draft now meets or exceeds all applicable Federal and state requirements. However, the revised draft permit also warrants a thorough public review and comment period.

The Clean Water Act requires facilities that discharge into the "waters of the United States" to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit which sets limits on pollutants to protect public health and the environment. U.S. Steel Gary Works discharges water used in its operations into both the Grand Calumet River and Lake Michigan. It is the largest fully-integrated steel mill in North America.

Access a release from EPA (click here). Access more information and background from EPA (click here). Access an IDEM fact sheet (click here).

EPA Posts Comments & Transcript On U.S. Steel Gary Works

Jan 17: U.S. EPA Region 5 has announced that comments it has received on its objections to a draft wastewater treatment permit for U.S. Steel Gary Works, in addition to a transcript of a December 11 public hearing on the issue [See WIMS 11/24/07], are available on its website. Copies will also be available at EPA's regional office in Chicago and the Gary Public Library, 220 W. 5th Street. EPA said it received more than 300 comments by the close of the comment period December 28, 2007. The Agency is currently evaluating the comments, will prepare responses to them and make sure that the Indiana Department of Environmental Management is informed of any significant issues raised.

Access an EPA announcement (click here). Access the comments and related information on the draft permit (click here). Access extensive information from IDEM on the permit (click here).

Hearing On U.S. Steel NPDES Permit Set For December 11

Nov 9: U.S. EPA Region 5 announced that it will hold a public hearing on December 11 at Indiana University Northwest on the draft wastewater permit for U.S. Steel Corp. Gary Works developed by Indiana Department of Environmental Management [See WIMS 11/2/007]. EPA Regional Administrator Mary Gade will chair the hearing. The purpose of the hearing is to listen to comments about EPA's objections to the draft permit. Comments will also be accepted on aspects of the draft permit not addressed by the objections. Written and oral comments will be accepted following a brief presentation by EPA. Comments may also be submitted in writing between November 9 and December 28, 2007.

The hearing will take place at Indiana University Northwest, Savannah Auditorium, 3400 Broadway Ave., Gary, from 3 to 5 PM, and 6 to 8:30 PM. Advertisements announcing the hearing will be published November. 9 in the Gary Post-Tribune, Northwest Indiana Times, Chicago Sun-Times and St. Joseph, Mich., Herald Palladium newspapers. The permit is for the steel mill to discharge into Lake Michigan, via the Grand Calumet River and Stockton Pond. The facility is the largest fully integrated steel mill in the U.S.

Access a release from EPA with details on submitting comments (click here). Access more information about the hearing, the draft permit and EPA's objections (click here). Access extensive information from IDEM on the permit (click here).