The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is accepting public comments through April 26 on a proposed permit that would allow seafood processors in Kodiak to discharge wastewater into nearby waters.

The permit would cover onshore seafood processing facilities that discharge process waste including fish residues, blood, and cooking water. The state proposes to authorize site-specific mixing zones where treated wastewater can blend with receiving waters.

Seafood processing creates pollutants including biochemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, and oils from cooking operations. The permit also covers discharge of cooling water, boiler water, and refrigeration condensate.

The state does not propose to authorize a zone of deposit, which would allow solid waste to accumulate on the seafloor.

The proposed permit and supporting documents are available for review at DEC offices in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Soldotna, and Wasilla. Documents are also posted online at the agency's wastewater program website.

Public comments must be submitted by April 26. Contact Anne Weaver at the Department of Environmental Conservation at 907-269-7483 or [email protected] for more information.

After the comment period closes, DEC will review all submissions before making a final decision on whether to issue the general permit.