The LDEQ, Office of Environmental Services, is accepting written comments on a draft Louisiana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (LPDES) permit prepared for Westlake Chemical Corporation, Westlake Petrochemicals Complex, P.O. Box 3508, Sulphur, LA 70664. The facility is located at 900 Louisiana Highway 108 in Sulphur, Calcasieu  Parish. Upon the effective date of the final permit, the LPDES permit shall replace the previously issued LPDES permit.

 

The principal discharge from this existing source is made into the Calcasieu River (Outfall 001) and Indian Marais (Outall 006), waters of the state classified for primary contact recreation, secondary contact recreation, and propagation of fish and wildlife. Under the SIC Codes 2869, 2821, and 2865, the applicant proposes to discharge combined wastewaters from the Styrene, Poly III, and Petro I & II Units including: treated process wastewaters; utility wastewaters; process area stormwater; treated sanitary wastewater from Internal Outfalls 101, 401, and 501; and miscellaneous wastewater including but not limited to general facility washdown, steam condensate, eye wash and safety shower station water, firewater, and pump seal water (Outfall 001)  and non-process area stormwater runoff from throughout the Westlake Petrochemicals Complex including the secondary containment area around the hexane and butane tanks near the Co-Products Storage area; utility fire test water overflow; firewater pump cooling and test water; excess clarifier/utility water, demineralization unit overflow; excess post-first flush stormwater runoff from the process areas at the Petro II and Poly III Units; steam condensate; lay down yard; contractor areas; and other miscellaneous non-contact wastewater and wash waters (Outfall 006)  from an existing chemical complex for styrene, ethylene, and polyethylene production.

 

During the preparation of this permit, it has been determined that the discharge will have no adverse impact on the existing uses of the receiving waterbody. As with any discharge, however, some change in existing water quality may occur.

 

Written comments, written requests for a public hearing or written requests for notification of the final decision regarding this permit action may be submitted to Ms. Soumaya Ghosn at LDEQ, Public Participation Group, P.O. Box 4313, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4313. Written comments and/or written requests must be received by 12:30 p.m., Monday, November 30, 2009. Written comments will be considered prior to a final permit decision.

 

If LDEQ finds a significant degree of public interest, a public hearing will be held. LDEQ will send notification of the final permit decision to the applicant and to each person who has submitted written comments or a written request for notification of the final decision.

 

The permit application, additional information, draft permit, and fact sheet are available for review at the LDEQ, Public Records Center, Room 127, 602 North 5^th Street, Baton Rouge, LA. Viewing hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (except holidays). The available information can also be accessed electronically on the Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) on the DEQ public website at www.deq.louisiana.gov .

 

 

 

 

Inquiries or requests for additional information regarding this permit action should be directed to Jenniffer Sheppard, LDEQ, Water Permits Division, P.O. Box 4313, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4313, phone (225) 219-3138.

 

Persons wishing to be included on the LDEQ permit public notice mailing list or for other public participation related questions should contact the Public Participation Group in writing at LDEQ, P.O. Box 4313, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4313, by email at deqmaillistrequest@la.gov or contact the LDEQ Customer Service Center at (225) 219-LDEQ (219-5337).

 

Permit public notices including electronic access to the draft permit and fact sheet can be viewed at the LDEQ permits public notice webpage at www.deq.louisiana.gov/apps/pubNotice/default.asp and general information related to the public participation in permitting activities can be viewed at www.deq.louisiana.gov/portal/tabid/2198/Default.aspx .

 

Alternatively, individuals may elect to receive the permit public notices via email by subscribing to the LDEQ permits public notice List Server at http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/oes/listservpage/ldeq_pn_listserv.htm .