EPA Reviews Iowa Recycler's Lead Permit Tweaks in Council Bluffs
Published Date: 6/3/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is proposing to approve changes to a permit for Alter Metal Recycling in Iowa that won’t harm air quality or make rules tougher. This update is part of Iowa’s plan to keep lead pollution in check around Council Bluffs. People have until July 3, 2025, to share their thoughts on this change.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
EPA: Permit change won’t raise lead levels
EPA proposes to replace the SIP-approved Alter Metal Recycling permit with the modified permit and finds the modification does not increase potential lead (Pb) emissions and retains measures needed to attain and maintain the 2008 Pb NAAQS (0.15 micrograms per cubic meter). The area attained the 2008 Pb NAAQS by the statutory deadline of December 31, 2016; the most recent valid design value reported for 2018–2020 is 0.08 µg/m3 and the most recent incomplete data indicates a maximum three-month rolling average of 0.12 µg/m3 for 2021–2023.
Silt sampling reduced from monthly to quarterly
The Alter Metal Recycling permit reduces required surface silt load sampling on internal haul routes from monthly to quarterly. The SIP record shows the facility met the silt load limit of less than 2.70 g/m2 for 12 consecutive months (October 2014 through November 2016), which supported the reduced sampling frequency.
New inclement-weather contingency duties
If IDNR notifies the facility that a monitored exceedance of the lead standard occurred during months when inclement-weather provisions applied, the permit requires the facility to implement good housekeeping, including daily removal of material piles from haul roads and reducing vehicle speeds on paved roads from 20 mph to 5 mph, and to continue those practices until sweeping resumes. The permit’s inclement-weather exceptions include not sweeping when there has been 0.2 inches of rain within 24 hours, haul routes were unused that day, ambient temperature is under 35 °F, or driving conditions are hazardous.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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