PUBLIC NOTICE
STATE OF ALASKA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
DONLIN GOLD, LLC
DONLIN GOLD PROJECT
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) has made a preliminary decision to approve Donlin Gold, LLC’s (Donlin’s) application for Air Quality Control Construction Permit AQ0934CPT01 for the Donlin Gold Project.
Applicant: Donlin Gold, LLC, 4720 Business Park Blvd, Suite G-26, Anchorage, AK 99503
Location: 280 miles west of Anchorage, AK; Latitude: 62.02° and Longitude: -158.2°
Activity: Donlin Gold, LLC’s application is classified under 18 AAC 50.306 to establish a new Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) gold mining and processing operation, 18 AAC 502(b)(3) for a rock crusher with a rated capacity over five tons per hour, and under 18 AAC 50.508(5) to avoid PSD review for SO2 and to avoid HAPs major classification.
Emissions: PTE for this source is 1,255.8 tpy for CO, 1,230.2 tpy for NOx, 598.9 tpy for PM-2.5, 599.5 tpy for PM-10, 610.6 tpy PM, 25.6 tpy SO2, and 1,167.6 tpy VOC.
Increment Consumption: The air quality impacts will consume up to 20% of the annual NO2 Class II increment, 67% of the 24-hour PM-2.5 Class II increment, 18% of the annual PM-2.5 Class II increment, 78% of the 24-hour PM-10 Class II increment, and 15% of the annual PM-10 Class II increment.
ADEC Preliminary Review: Based on review of the application, ADEC drafted a preliminary permit decision for this project under AS 46.14 and 18 AAC 50.
Available Information: Copies of the permit application, ADEC’s draft permit and technical analysis report (TAR) are available at:
ADEC Air Permits Program, 555 Cordova Street, Anchorage, AK 99501-1677; and
http://dec.alaska.gov/Applications/Air/airtoolsweb/AirPermitsApprovalsAndPublicNotices/
Opportunity for Public Participation:
Any interested person may present written statements relevant to the preliminary decision by the closing date. ADEC will consider all comments received and make any changes ADEC finds beneficial or necessary to assure compliance with 18 AAC 50 or State Law. ADEC will issue a final decision to issue or deny the permit after the close of the public comment period. Any person may request a public hearing and that hearing will be held if ADEC finds that good cause exists.
ADEC specifically invites the public to comment on the following three computer modeling techniques used by Donlin to estimate their air quality impacts: the ADJ_u* algorithm within the AERMOD Modeling System for adjusting the surface friction velocity; the Ozone Limiting Method for estimating the 1-hour NO2 impacts; and the POINTCAP option within the AERMOD Modeling System for characterizing capped stacks. All three algorithms are considered as alternative modeling techniques under the version of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Guideline on Air Quality Models adopted by reference in 18 AAC 50.040(f).
The State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you are a person with a disability who may need a special accommodation in order to participate in this public process, please contact Natalie Wolfe at (907) 269-0291 or TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711 by the close of the public comment period to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.
Please direct written statements or requests relevant to the proposed permit decision to Brittany Crutchfield at ADEC’s Anchorage office by mail to 555 Cordova Street, Anchorage, AK 99501, by facsimile at (907) 269-7508 or by email to brittany.crutchfield@alaska.gov. ADEC will accept comments on the proposed action through 4:30 p.m. Alaska time on May 12, 2017.