The purpose of this notice is to invite you to provide written comments on this proposed air quality permit renewal.

 

DEQ’s Role:

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is responsible for protecting and enhancing Oregon’s water and air quality, for cleaning up spills and releases of hazardous materials, and for managing the proper disposal of hazardous and solid wastes. One way DEQ does this is by requiring permits for certain activities. DEQ issues permits to regulate the type and amount of air emissions at a regulated facility.

 

Comments due:

Written comments due: 5 p.m., January 25, 2008

 

Where can I send my comments?

Patty Hamman

(503) 378-5305 or Toll Free (800) 349-7677

750 Front Street NE #120

Salem, OR 97301-1039

Fax Number (503) 378-4196

hamman.patricia@deq.state.or.us

 

Where can I get technical information?

Karen White-Fallon

(503) 378-5315 or Toll free (800) 349-7677

750 Front Street NE #120

Salem, OR 97301-1039

Fax Number (503) 378-4196

white-fallon.karen@deq.state.or.us

 

How can I review documents?

You can review electronic versions of the draft permit and review report in the online version of this document located at:

 

http://www.deq.state.or.us/notices/

 

You can review hard copies of the draft permit and related documents at the Willamina Public Library located at 385 NE C Street in Willamina, Oregon and the nearest DEQ office in Salem. For a review appointment, call Patty Hamman at (503) 378-5305.

 

 

What is proposed?

DEQ proposes to renew an air permit for Hampton Lumber – Willamina Division and is inviting public comment on the proposed permitting action. During the comment period the public is invited to make comments related to specific conditions within the proposed permit.

 

This permitting action is to renew their existing air quality permit.

 

Permit expiration

Upon issuance, this permit renewal will be effective for five years until expiration on November 1, 2012.

 

Who is the applicant?

Hampton Lumber, Inc. dba Willamina Lumber Company

 

Where is the facility located?

1000 Willamina Creek Road

Willamina, OR 97396

 

Who might have an interest?

People who work, live, and recreate in the area.

 

What does Hampton Lumber do that affects air quality?

Hampton Lumber releases Particulate Matter (PM), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Oxide (NOx), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), and low levels of Hazardous Air Pollutants to the air during the various process operations at the facility.

 

What legal requirements apply?

Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 468A.040 and Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) Chapter 340 Division 216 give DEQ the authority to issue permits. OAR Chapter 340 Divisions 200 through 268 contains all pertinent rules that govern the air quality program.

 

 

How does DEQ determine what requirements go in the permit?

Various federal and state regulations apply to a facility depending on the type of industry, the type and amount of pollutants emitted, and the location of the facility. All applicable regulations must be contained in the permit, including the appropriate recordkeeping, monitoring, and reporting requirements to ensure compliance with these rules.

 

Meeting air quality standards

 

Air quality in the Willamina area meets the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) established by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect public health. DEQ has determined that the air emissions from Hampton Lumber will not result in a violation of those standards. DEQ is responsible for establishing permit emissions limits that ensure air quality standards are not violated.

 

What pollutants are considered in determining permitted limits?

 

EPA and DEQ use six key pollutants as indicators of air quality. These are known as “criteria pollutants” and are compounds that, if inhaled, may lead to health effects that generally aggravate cardiovascular and respiratory disease. If the amount of criteria pollutants emitted is greater than a regulated minimum, then emission limits are established.

 

Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) are compounds that, if inhaled, may pose a threat of adverse human health or environmental effects, including, for example, acute or chronic toxicity, cancer, birth defects, or reproductive dysfunction. The mere presence of these pollutants in the air does not necessarily mean that a health risk exists. EPA has established a list of 187 compounds that are classified and regulated as HAPs. If the amount of HAPs released is greater than a regulated minimum level, then additional requirements may also apply.

 

For more information about criteria pollutants, go to:

 

www.deq.state.or.us/aq/forms/2005ar/2005ar.pdf

 

For more information about hazardous air pollutants, go to:

 

www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/hapindex.html

 

How are the permitted substances measured?

The facility tracks their production in all processes and uses established emission factors to calculate their emissions.

 

Emissions and permit limits

Table 1 below presents the maximum allowable emissions for the facility. The Current Emission Limit reflects the maximum amount of emissions the facility can currently emit under their existing Standard Air Contaminant Discharge Permit. The Proposed Emission Limit reflects the maximum amount of emissions the facility would be able to emit under the proposed ACDP. Typically, a facility’s actual emissions are less than the maximum limits established in a permit; however, actual emissions can increase up to the permitted limit.

 

 

Compliance history:

DEQ has inspected this facility on a regular schedule and found them to be in compliance with existing permit conditions. There are no air quality complaints or current enforcement actions underway.

 

 

What other DEQ permits are required?

The facility is required to have a General NPDES permit for discharge of stormwater.

 

What other sources of air pollutants are in the vicinity of the facility?

Various sources emit similar air pollutants. EPA and DEQ split up the sources into 3 categories: point, area, and mobile sources. Point sources are primarily large industrial facilities. No large sources are located near the facility. Area sources are smaller than point sources and include backyard burning, woodstoves, consumer products, gasoline stations, etc. Mobile sources include cars, trucks, airplanes, ships, railroads, and construction equipment.

 

What happens next?

DEQ will schedule a public hearing if one is requested by 10 or more people, or by an authorized person representing an organization of at least 10 people. An additional public notice will be published to advertise the public hearing.

 

If a public hearing is not requested, DEQ will consider and provide responses to all comments received at the close of the comment period. DEQ may modify provisions in the proposed permit, but the permit writers can only modify conditions of the permit in accordance with the rules and statutes under the authority of DEQ. Participation in the rulemaking or the legislative process is the only way to change the rules or statutes. Ultimately, if a facility meets all legal requirements, DEQ will issue the facility’s air quality permit.

 

 

Accessibility information

DEQ is committed to accommodating people with disabilities. Please notify DEQ of any special physical or language accommodations or if you need information in large print, Braille or another format. To make these arrangements, contact DEQ Communications & Outreach (503) 229-5696 or toll free in Oregon at (800) 452-4011; fax to (503) 229-6762; or e-mail to deqinfo@deq.state.or.us .

 

People with hearing impairments may call DEQ’s TTY number, (503) 378-3684.