DEQ invites the public to provide written comment on the conditions of the seafood processing wastewater general permit No. 900 known officially as a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Summary – Subject to public review and comment, DEQ intends to renew the 900 – JNPDES permit, which allows multiple seafood processing facilities to discharge wastewater to state waters, primarily on the Oregon Coast. Part of the review process is an opportunity for public comment, based on the information provided in the applications and other DEQ data. About the facilities and the receiving waters – In Oregon, there are over 20 seafood processing plants that produce various types of seafood. DEQ issues general permits to cover the wastewater discharges from qualifying facilities. Wastewater produced during processing is treated prior to being discharged to bays or rivers. Seafood processing facilities currently operate in Astoria, Bay City, Brookings, Charleston, Coos Bay, Hammond, Newport, North Bend, Warrenton, and Winchester Bay. The facilities discharge to rivers and bays along the Oregon Coast. Some of these waters are on DEQ’s 303(d) list of impaired water bodies. What types of pollutants does the permit regulate? Compliance history DEQ issued the first seafood processing general permit in 1982 and has renewed it four times: in 1990, 1995, 1999, and 2006. The current seafood processing general permit was issued in 2006. Since then, there have been numerous documented violations of the permit limits. DEQ has issued warning letters, fines and penalties to companies violating the permit. All comments are due by 5 p.m., Friday, April 13, 2018.
