ENB Region 5 Completed Applications 09/06/2006

The applicant proposes a new 15.7 acre Life-of-Mine sand and gravel mine on lands owned by the permittee, with use of portable crushing and screening equipment.  5.8 acres are proposed to be affected in the first 5-year permit term.  The reclamation objective is to plant conservation green grass mixture with eventual reversion to natural forest or other uses.  The site is located on the North side of Route 9N, approximately 4.5 miles west of the Hamlet of Elizabethtown.  The Adirondack Park Agency is also handling a permit application for this project (APA#2004-194).

    The applicant has requested authorization to use two new Water Treatment Chemicals (WTC) and to expand the use of another WTC at the Ticonderoga Paper Mill which is located at Shore Airport Road, Ticonderoga, where it has an existing treated wastewater nominal discharge flow of 17.5 million gallons per day to Lake Champlain.  The authorization request applies to the following three chemicals: Bromide Activated Chlorine (BAC), Ammonium Bromide, and Sodium Hypochlorite which are all biocides used in the paper making process.  The first two listed chemicals would be used on an extended trial basis to determine their effectiveness and if the trial use is successful, may replace the incumbent WTC, Actibrom 1318.  Sodium Hypochlorite, which is currently used for disinfection, microbiological control, zebra mussel control and chemical oxidation in the water treatment process and microbiological control in the mill’s paper making process, would be expanded in it’s use to produce BAC biocide.

    In order to authorize use of the Water Treatment Chemical (WTC) Bromide Activated Chloramine, and comply with water quality standards, it is necessary to modify the facility’s existing permit to change monitoring of Total Residual Chlorine (TRC) from the previously authorized Action Level of 97 lbs/day, to an Enforceable Compliance Level of 69.4 lbs/day.  

    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.  This requested SPDES Permit modification is unrelated to International Paper’s separate application for an Air Title V permit modification to authorize a temporary two week test burn of tire derived fuel(TDF).  The Department is processing that permit application separately.  Refer to this application by application number listed above and SPDES No. NY-000 4413.

Proposed construction of three stormwater detention basins within 0.25 acre of the adjacent area of Freshwater Wetland T-1 (Class II), and disturbance to 0.49 acre of federal wetlands, associated with development of the Pointe West Townhomes and Halfmoon Heritage Apartments.  As mitigation, 1.18 acres of wetlands would be created. The project is located on Fellows Road, 1/4 mile south of NYS Route 146, Town of Halfmoon.