Summary
Public Comment Period Extended: The regulations.gov site experienced technical difficulties on December 9, 2019. Given these circumstances, we are extending the public comment period to Wednesday, December 11, 2019 until 11:59 pm. Click on this link to comment: https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EPA-R08-OW-2019-0512
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has extended the time period for requesting public comment to December 9, 2019, on two Underground Injection Control (UIC) Draft Area Permits and one associated proposed aquifer exemption decision for the Dewey-Burdock uranium in-situ recovery (ISR) site located near Edgemont, South Dakota, under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act and UIC program regulations. The Dewey-Burdock site is located in southwestern Custer County and northwestern Fall River County, on the Wyoming/South Dakota border.
The EPA Region 8 UIC Program is reissuing two Draft UIC Area Permits to Powertech (USA) Inc., Suite #140, 5575 DTC Parkway, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111, for injection activities related to uranium recovery. One is a UIC Class III Area Permit for injection wells for the ISR of uranium; the second is a UIC Class V Area Permit for deep injection wells that will be used to dispose of ISR process waste fluids into the Minnelusa Formation after treatment to meet radioactive waste and hazardous waste standards. The EPA is also re-proposing an aquifer exemption approval in connection with the Class III Area Permit to exempt the uranium-bearing portions of the Inyan Kara Group aquifers. The EPA requested public comments on these permit actions in March 2017. After reviewing the comments received and modifying the draft actions, the EPA is requesting additional public input on these actions. At the close of the public comment period, the EPA will review and consider all comments received during both the 2017 and 2019 public comment periods and during all the public hearings and make decisions on final actions. The EPA will also prepare a written statement addressing all the comments received that are relevant to the UIC Class III and V Draft UIC Area Permits.
How to Comment: Written comments must be submitted online at regulations.gov under docket number EPA-R08-OW-2019-0512 or through the links provided on this webpage. Comments may also be sent by mail to Valois Robinson, U.S. EPA Region 8, Mail Code: 8WD-SDU, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202-1129.
Written comments must be received by midnight Mountain Standard Time on December 9, 2019.
Public Hearing Information: The public may also provide written and/or verbal comments during an EPA public hearing. The EPA will hold a public hearing at the following date, time and location:
Saturday, October 5, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 pm at the:
The Mueller Center
801 South 6th Street
Hot Springs, South Dakota 57747
Information Available for Review: All information submitted by the applicant and generated by the EPA during permit application review is available for public review as part of the administrative record and is available through the 2017 and 2019 Documents link below. Available documents include the permit applications, draft Permits, fact sheet documents and other supporting documents. A paper version of the administrative record is also available for public viewing in the EPA Region 8 Library located on the third floor at 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, excluding federal holidays. All visitors to the Region 8 office must show a picture ID such as a current driver's license. Visitors must also register at the guard desk in the lobby before proceeding to the Library.
In addition to seeking comments on the Class III and V draft area permits, the EPA is seeking public comment on: 1) the identification of traditional cultural properties at the Dewey-Burdock Project Site Area of Potential Effects, on the potential adverse effects of the proposed project, and on measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate potential adverse effects on historic and traditional cultural properties pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and 36 CFR § 800.2(d) and § 800.6(a)(4); 2) options for approval of the aquifer exemption that Powertech requested related to the Class III permit application which are discussed in the Aquifer Exemption draft Record of Decision; and 3) a revised draft environmental justice analysis for the Dewey-Burdock UIC permitting actions.
To Submit Comments and View Documents, Click on the Link Below.
Documents:
You may need a PDF reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA’s About PDF page to learn more. Free Viewers