ENB Region 4 Completed Applications 11/09/2005

The applicant proposes a new surface discharge of 4,880 gallons per day of treated sanitary wastewater to a Class C tributary of Coxsackie Creek from the proposed The Holiday Inn Express to be constructed at 12740 U. S. Route 9W, Town of New Baltimore, Greene County, New York.

The Department has made a tentative determination to issue a permit for a State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit under Article 17 of the Environmental Conservation Law.  This tentative determination indicates that the discharge regulated under this statute is considered to satisfy regulatory standards for permit issuance, based on information available to the Department at this time.  As a tentative determination, the Department seeks comments on the proposed regulated activity prior to making a final decision on permit issuance.  As such, this tentative determination does not signify Department approval for or endorsement of the activity for which a permit is sought or for the overall proposed project.

A draft permit is available for inspection and comment at the Region 4 Office located at 1150 N. Westcott Road, Schenectady, N. Y.

Refer to this application by Application Number listed above and SPDES Number NY-0268640.

The Department has proposed an Air State Facility permit for the application that was received for the Breton Industries Inc. facility located at 7 Dandreano Drive, City of Amsterdam, County of Montgomery, owned by Breton Industries Inc. of 1 Sam Stratton Road, Amsterdam, New York.  The facility is engaged in the application of surface coatings onto fabricated metal and fabric parts.  The facility includes two spray booths with high efficiency electrostatic spray systems and filters and two drying ovens.  The facility currently has an Air Registration.  The facility is proposing to increase their enforceable limit of 5 tons per year for volatile organic compounds (Air Registration) to 10 tons per year (Air State Facility Permit).  In order to remain below the applicability threshold for 6 NYCRR Part 228, the applicant has proposed restricting the potential to emit through enforceable permit conditions which will limit or cap emissions at a level which is less than 10 tons per year for volatile organic compounds (VOC).  In addition, the applicant has proposed restricting the potential to emit for total hazardous air pollutants (HAP) to less than 10 tons per year through enforceable permit conditions which will limit or cap emissions at a level which is less than the Title V applicability threshold of 25 tons per year.  The applicant has agreed to permit conditions which will limit the emissions of VOC and HAP from the facility in order to meet regulatory requirements.  The above emissions will be limited by restricting coating/solvent usage.  The applicant will be required to maintain records and report this data to verify compliance with permit conditions and limits.

Persons wishing to inspect the subject Air State Facility files, including the application with all relevant supporting materials, the draft permit, and all other materials available to the DEC (the “permitting authority”) that are relevant to this permitting decision should contact the DEC representative below.  It is recommended that an appointment be made to confirm the availability of the subject files.  The DEC will endeavor to make the files available within two business days of contact, during normal business hours (8:30 AM through 4:45 PM), unless the requestor wishes to inspect the files at a later date.

DEC will evaluate the application and the comments received on it to determine whether to hold a public hearing.  A public hearing may be legislative or adjudicatory.  A legislative public hearing is a proceeding which provides an additional opportunity for public comment.  DEC’s determination to hold a legislative public hearing will be based on whether a significant degree of public interest exists.  If a legislative public hearing is to be held, a Notice of Hearing will be published which will include the time and place of the hearing and submitting comments.  The applicant and all persons who have filed comments on the permit will be notified by mail of the public hearing.  Comments and requests for a legislative hearing should be in writing and addressed to the Department representative listed below.

An adjudicatory public hearing is a trial type proceeding which provides the opportunity for adjudication on the basis of evidence, including direct testimony and cross examination.  An adjudicatory hearing is held only if substantive and significant issues relating to any findings or determinations the Department is required to make pursuant to the Environmental Conservation Law exists.  A copy of the Department’s permit hearing procedures is available upon request or on the Department’s web site at: http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/ohms/gudph1.htm.

The Air State Facility Permit, ID number 4-2701-00070/00002 is available for review at the Region 4 office.  The contact person is James Eldred, NYSDEC, 1150 North Westcott Road, Schenectady, New York 12306-2014, telephone (518)357-2069.  Comments will be received for 30 days from the date of this notice.  If comments are received which raise significant issues or provide additional relevant information, the Department may modify the draft Air State Facility Permit.

Mohawk Valley Bedding Co., located at the Cytech Hardwoods facilty on Route 5S Town of Florida, Montgomery County, has proposed to conduct a 180 day research and development project which will require a Solid Waste Management Facility permit.  The project will involve the acceptance of up to 200 tons per day of paper mill sludge and the blending of this material with agricultural lime and sawdust from the Cytech operations to produce animal bedding for use by local dairy and horse farms.

The Applicant has proposed to conduct maintenance and upgrade activities at the Bleinheim - Gilboa Pump Storage Project. These projects include the replacement of the Main Valves controlling the flow of water between the Upper and Lower Reservoirs as well as the replacement of the existing turbine runners with an updated design allowing for greater project efficiency.

The Valve Replacement Project will require that the Upper Reservoir be drawn down to a level 22 ft below the normal  minimum operating levels for up to 2 months of each of the next four years. At this elevation, the Upper Reservoir would continue to contain a pool of approximately 150 acres with a depth of 45 feet. As part of the application the applicant has submitted a stormwater management for use during the draw down period.

Concurrently, the applicant has also proposed the replacement of the 32 year old turbine runners with new more efficient units and updating the stay vanes, wicket gates and seal systems. These improvements will provide for a 11.5 % increase in power output and a increase in flow between the Upper and Lower Reservoirs from 2,900 cfs to 3,000 cfs per unit at best-gate. The rate of drawdown and filling of the reservoirs is anticipated to change by no more than 1 hour in 9.