^tDSX S L. , i \ UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY I ^iTy | REGION 6 $ 1201 ELM STREET, SUITE 500 % PROttf^ DALLAS, TEXAS 75270 FACT SHEET: EPA Public Hearing for Proposed Decision to Approve Louisiana Class VI UIC Primacy Application Purpose: After conducting a comprehensive technical and legal review, EPA determined that the State of Louisiana's Class VI UIC program meets all requirements for approval, and the state will implement and enforce a Class VI UIC program consistent with the Safe Drinking Water Act. EPA requests public comments on the Agency's proposed decision within 60 days after the date of publication, May 4, 2023, in the Federal Register. The purpose of the public hearing is to collect oral comments on the proposed action. Oral testimony and written comments are given equal weight. Location: LaSalle Building, LaBelle Hearing Room, 1st Floor, 617 North 3rd Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. In-person Public Hearing Sessions: Wednesday, June 21: 1-5 pm, 6-8 pm Wednesday. June 21 Live Stream Thursday, June 22: 9 am-12 pm, 1-5 pm, 6-8 pm Thursday. June 22 Live Stream Friday: June 23: 9 am-12 pm, 1-5 pm, 6-8 pm Friday, June 23 Live Stream * Session times account for set up and incorporate a 5 min break every hour of each session EPA is currently working on adding a virtual session during the week of June 26. The virtual session will afford the same public participation opportunities as the in-person hearings. EPA will update the designated web page when details of this session are finalized at: https://www.epa.gov/uic/underground-iniection-control-epa-region-6-ar-la-nm-ok-and-tx Written comments: The public comment period for submitting written comments is 60 days, ending on July 3. Total Registrants: Online Pre-registration, which ended June 8th, 11:59 pm CST, totaled 303 speakers over the three days of the hearing. Individuals may register on the day of the hearing as capacity allows. EPA Staff in attendance: Ken Johnson (UIC Sect. Mgr.), Lisa Pham (Engineer), Ian Ussery (Geologist), Brody Friesenhahn (Geologist), Evelyn Rosborough (NPDES Sect.), Armando Armendariz (ORC Hearing Officer), and Chad Larsen (Office of Tribes and Communities) LDNR's Role in the Hearing: LDNR is assisting EPA with the facility and any technology needs. EPA's Role and the Hearing Rules of Engagement: EPA will open the hearing by giving a brief statement summarizing the proposed action. Then, the EPA hearing officer will explain the rules of engagement and announce the amount of time granted to each speaker (3 minutes). The hearing officer will then invite the pre-registered speakers to give their testimony in the order outlined in the itinerary for each given session. Once pre-registered speakers have completed their remarks for a given session, the hearing officer will then allow speakers who registered at the front door for that session an opportunity to give their testimonials. A court reporter will capture a transcript of the hearing. There will be no cross- examination or other exchanges. EPA will not respond to comments at the hearing but will merely be there to hear testimony. EPA will respond to comments in writing, and this response will accompany EPA's final decision, published in the Federal Register. ------- |