The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has made a tentative determination to approve this application for a SPDES permit modification. A draft permit has been prepared and is available for review. This modification has been made in response to a June 14, 2001 request for a minor modification at the facility. Also addressed in the modification were requested changes described in a letter dated October 28, 1999. The purpose of the later request is to allow for the discharge of water from a new Reverse Osmosis (RO) filtration system from a new sub-outfall (01D) via the facility's existing primary Outfall No. 001. The proposed RO System will replace the existing demineralized water system, which will provide a reliable and efficient supply of demineralized water, reduce demineralized water cost, and reduce the frequency of boiler and equipment cleaning. The increase in discharge will be 0.026% of the existing average discharge from Outfall 001. The earlier request resulted in corrections to the permittee's and facility name and address, and a correction of the DMR Mailing Information. Further, Additional Requirement #1 of the permit was modified to reflect the fact that boiler and metal cleaning wastewater will be transported off-site for treatment rather to the Astoria Waste Treatment Facility. Finally, Outfalls 003 and 004 of the existing permit were deleted since they no longer exist. Other minor modifications were made.

The Department has made a tentative determination to approve an application for an existing facility, St. John's University, located at 8000 Utopia Pkwy., Jamaica, NY 11439. This is an international university which provides higher education for 18,300 students. The University operates boilers on campus which supply steam and space heating for the buildings and dormitories. All boilers are capable of firing either #2 (distillate) oil or natural gas. The facility-wide emissions for nitrous oxide exceeds the major source pollutant threshold and was issued a Title V permit on 3/20/2000. During August 1996 to October 1997 St. John's University converted eleven boilers from No. 6 fuel oil fired to natural gas #2 fuel oil fired. The facility will limit the maximum annual potential from the eleven boilers creating emission reduction credits (ERC) for each of the three emission units that contain boilers. ERCs that can be used for netting and offsets for the following emission units in accordance with the provisions of Part 231-2 of 6NYCRR have been established: U-00001 6.97 TPY of NOx; U-00002 10.47 TPY of NOx; U-00003 11.03 TPY of NOx. The application, draft permit, relevant supporting materials and regulations are available for review during normal business hours at the DEC office provided in this notice. Comments of support or objection may be made by filing a written statement by the deadline date indicated. DEC may schedule a public hearing based upon an evaluation of the nature and scope of any written objections raised. Hearing notices will contain instructions on filing for party status and submitting comments.