ENB Region 5 Completed Applications 03/05/2003

The Department has received a complete application and has developed a draft permit that replaces an existing emission point permit and adds requirements for four generators that were previously exempt from permitting. The draft permit establishes facility wide emission caps of 95 tons per year for sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides emissions. These caps are below the major source threshold, therefore the facility is not subject to Title V permit requirements. The draft permit also establishes new record keeping and reporting requirements. The draft permit is available by contacting Michael Sundberg, P.E. of the Division of Air Resources staff in the Region 5 Warrensburg office at (518) 623-1200.

The applicant has requested an increase in the size of the life of mine from the previously permitted 12 acres to 16 acres in conjunction with renewal of the permit.  The need to increase the life of mine acreage is due primarily to prior mapping inaccuracies that resulted in a miscalculation of the acreage to be affected by mining activities.  Virtually the entire 16 acres have been disturbed by the removal of sand and the proposed acreage correction will result in a negligible increase in mining activity at the site.  Periodically, there will be on-site processing of  materials consisting of screening and crushing excavated sand and gravel.  Reclamation of the site upon completion of mining will consist of grading to stable 1 on 2 slopes, spreading stockpiled overburden soils, followed by fertilizing, seeding and mulching to establish a uniform vegetative cover on all disturbed areas.

NOTICE OF COMPLETE APPLICATION

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF DRAFT PERMIT RENEWAL

NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has reviewed the hazardous waste management permit application submitted by Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation, and has made a tentative determination to issue a 6NYCRR Part 373 permit renewal.  State regulations require that the public be given 45 days to comment on draft permit.  The public comment period begins on March 5, 2003 and ends on April 18, 2003.

The Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation owned and operated a wastewater pre-treatment plant in the immediate vicinity of their Glens Falls Main Plant Site.  The Plant has been closed and has ceased manufacturing operations.  The pre-treatment plant, during optimum operation, produced approximately 100-125 cubic yards of dewatered treatment sludges per week on a six day per week schedule.  The sludge primarily consisted of metal hydroxides and is classified as a hazardous waste.  Ciba disposed of the sludge in a hazardous waste landfill it operated on a 7.1 acre tract of land leased from the Town of Queensbury (located on Jenkensville Road near Ridge Road).  An adjacent surface impoundment was used to collect leachate from the landfill cell and runoff from a truck washing station.

The Permittee performed closure activities for the landfill during summer/fall of 1989 and completed closure in spring/summer of 1990.  The Post-Closure Plan for the landfill is contained in Appendix V-C of the draft permit.

After review of the permit application, DEC has found it to be complete.  Based upon the complete application, DEC has made a tentative determination to issue the Part 373 Permit to the facility for post-closure care of a closed hazardous waste disposal facility, and has prepared a draft permit pursuant to the regulations in Part 373-2 (Final Status Standards for Owners and Operators of Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities) and all other applicable hazardous waste management laws and regulations.

On the basis of the approved Closure Plans, the landfill and associated surface impoundment were physically closed.  Modules IV and V of the permit address the post-closure care requirements for the closed units, including a post-closure groundwater monitoring program that is designed to monitor and evaluate the impact from the closed units and require corrective actions that may be necessary for these units.  No further action for the landfill or impoundment is required except those requirements contained in Modules IV and V, and attachments and appendices of this permit.

Module III of the permit addresses corrective action implementation, as authorized by Part 373-2.6, for any additional solid waste management units that may be identified at the facility.

Pursuant to Part 617, State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR), the project is a Type II action and, therefore, is not subject to further review under this law.

Copies of the draft permit and Fact Sheet are available for inspection at the following locations:  Crandall Library, Glens Falls; DEC Central Office, Division of Solid and Hazardous Materials, 625 Broadway - 8^th Floor, Albany [contact for technical information: Gary Casper (518) 402-8594)]; and the DEC Region 5 Office, 232 Hudson Street, Warrensburg [contact: Richard Speidel (518)6231281].  A copy of the Fact Sheet, which summarizes the permitting process and includes descriptions of the application and draft permit, may be obtained from the above contact persons.

All comments will be considered in making a final permit decision.  Should DEC approve the permit, a response to any comments submitted will be issued to identify any changes from the draft version of the permit, and describe and respond to the issues raised.  A notice of the decision will be sent to each person who submits written comments or who requests such notice.

In lieu of, or in addition to the submission of comments, interested persons may request a public hearing.  Any request for a public hearing must be in writing, stating the nature of the issues proposed to be raised in the hearing.  Comments on the draft permit and/or request for a hearing must be sent to:  Richard Speidel, NYSDEC, Division of Environmental Permits, 232 Hudson Street, Warrensburg, New York 12885-0220.

All comments and/or requests for a public hearing must be submitted no later than April 18, 2003.

This application was filed and processed pursuant to Environmental Conservation Law ("ECL") Article 3 Title 3 (General Functions), Article 8 (SEQR), Article 27 Title 9 (Industrial Hazardous Waste Management), and Article 70 (Uniform Procedures); and pursuant to Title 6 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York ("6NYCRR") Part 617 (SEQR), Part 621 (Uniform Procedures) and Part 373 (Hazardous Waste Management Facilities).

Proposed reconstruction of Queensbury Avenue (County Route 52), along 2.6 miles from Hicks Road to Dix Avenue.  The project includes pavement reconstruction and culvert replacement, with impact to 0.02 acres of Freshwater Wetland HF-8 (class II).  All construction activity will occur within the existing road right of way.  The project is intended to correct continued deterioration of the existing highway.