Thursday, January 5, 2006

Oil and gas operations exempt from NPDES The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a new rule exempting oil and gas operations from having to secure permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) according to the Environment News Service. From the article, "The revision to storm water regulations, proposed by the EPA on December 30, 2005, seeks to implement a provision of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. In a fact sheet issued with the revision, the EPA says it interprets this exclusion to apply to construction of drilling sites, waste management pits, and access roads, as well as construction of the transportation and treatment infrastructure such as pipelines, natural gas treatment plants, natural gas pipeline compressor stations, and crude oil pumping stations. Construction activities that result in a discharge of a reportable quantity release or that contribute pollutants - other than non-contaminated sediments - to a violation of a water quality standard are still subject to permit coverage, the agency says. This action also proposes to add text encouraging operators of oil and gas field activities or operations to implement and maintain Best Management Practices to minimize erosion and control sediment during and after construction activities to help ensure protection of surface water quality during storm events." Category: Colorado Water 6:52:00 AM     North Platte Basin Water Roundtable Here's a short article about the North Platte River in Colorado from the Pueblo Chieftain. From the article, "By any measure, the North Platte River Basin is the smallest in Colorado, consisting of Jackson County and a sliver of Larimer County. Still, it has a major impact downstream in Wyoming and Nebraska and is now fenced in by a 2001 Supreme Court ruling - the third in a 70-year water fight. Under the ruling, Colorado may irrigate, Wyoming may store water and Nebraska protects endangered species." Category: Colorado Water 6:40:37 AM     Ag Water to Cities Here's Part IV of the Pueblo Chieftain's series about water issues in Colorado. They write, "South Platte demand for water is expected to increase significantly, according to the Statewide Water Supply Initiative, completed in 2004 by the Colorado Water Conservation Board. Much of the 'water gap' faced by cities is expected to be met by using supplies devoted to irrigated agriculture. Water demand reflects urban needs." Category: Colorado Water 6:31:35 AM

© Copyright 2006 John Orr. Last update: 12/29/06; 10:57:25 AM.