State seeks public input on Prudhoe Bay seawater discharge permit

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation has prepared a preliminary draft permit for Hilcorp North Slope's seawater treatment plant at Prudhoe Bay. The facility treats and distributes seawater used to maintain underground pressure for oil recovery in the Beaufort Sea.

The preliminary draft is available for a 10-day applicant review through May 1. After that review closes, the state will prepare a formal draft permit and fact sheet for a 30-day public comment period. Public comments will be accepted only during that formal review period, which has not yet been scheduled.

The proposed permit would authorize discharge of strainer backwash water from the plant, located at the end of the West Dock Causeway. The discharge would include mixing zones for temperature change, pH levels, and chlorine.

The preliminary draft permit and supporting documents are available at state environmental offices in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Soldotna, and Wasilla. Residents can also access the documents online at dec.alaska.gov/water/wastewater.

For more information or to request additional technical documents, contact Amy Wockenfuss at the Department of Environmental Conservation at 907-269-8874 or [email protected]. Alaskans can join the APDES email list at list.state.ak.us/mailman/listinfo/DEC-APDES to receive notifications when permits become available for public review.