Summary
EPA is issuing a notice of proposed action under the Clean Water Act to reissue a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit CA0004009 to:
Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians
711 Lucky Lane
Coarsegold, CA 93614
EPA is soliciting comments on the reissuance of the NPDES permit for the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino wastewater treatment plant. The Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino Wastewater Treatment Plant (the “facility”) are located on Tribal land in Madera County, California. The facility did not discharge any wastewater to waters of the United States during the previous permit term. The facility currently recycles all wastewater via on-site re-use and land application for irrigation. The potential receiving water body is an unnamed tributary to Coarsegold Creek which is a tributary to the Fresno River and San Joaquin River in central California. This permittee has been classified as a minor discharger.
EPA is also soliciting comments regarding issuance of a Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality certification for this permit. Under Section 401, a federal agency may not issue a permit that may result in any discharge into waters of the United States unless a state or authorized tribe where the discharge would originate issues a 401 certification verifying compliance with existing water quality requirements or waives the certification requirement. For permits on tribal lands, if a tribe does not have authority to issue a 401 certification, EPA makes the determination regarding the 401 certification. Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians does not have authority to issue 401 certifications. For additional information on 401 certification, see Overview of Certification under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.