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Source: https://www.epa.gov/eg/timber-products-processing-effluent-guidelines

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Timber Products Processing Effluent Guidelines

The EPA promulgated the Timber Products Processing Effluent Guidelines and Standards (40 CFR Part 429Exit EPA’s website) during 1974-6 and amended the regulation in 1981. The regulation covers direct and indirect dischargers. The Effluent Guidelines and Standards are incorporated into NPDES permits for direct dischargersdirect dischargersA point source that discharges pollutants to waters of the United States, such as streams, lakes, or oceans., and permits or other control mechanisms for indirect dischargersindirect dischargersA facility that discharges pollutants to a publicly owned treatment works (municipal sewage treatment plant). (refer to Pretreatment Program). On this page: * What is the Timber Products Processing Industry? * Pollutants and Subcategories * Rulemaking History * Additional Information

What is the Timber Products Processing Industry?

Related Information * Stormwater fact sheet (Sector A)

The timber products processing industry consists of a diverse group of manufacturing plants whose primary raw material is wood and whose products range from finished lumber and other wood building products to hardboard and preserved wood. This industrial group comprises thousands of facilities, including: * sawmills * millwork and finishing operations * veneer and plywood plants * wood preserving plants * particleboard plants * hardboard plants, and * insulation board plants.

Timber products processing activities are included within the following NAICS groups: * 3211: Sawmills and Wood Preservation * 3212: Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing * 337: Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing

Note: The NAICS listing is provided as a guide and does not define the coverage of the Timber Products Processing category. For precise definitions of coverage, see the applicability sections in 40 CFR Part 429Exit EPA’s website.

Pollutants and Subcategories

Regulated Pollutants

The regulated pollutants vary by subcategory, and include: * arsenic * biochemical oxygen demand * chemical oxygen demand * copper * chromium * pH (abnormally high or low) * phenols * oil & grease * suspended solids

Portions of 15 subcategories are subject to zero discharge requirements.

Regulation Subcategories

Rulemaking History

Minor Amendments

1981 Amendment

Revisions pursuant to 1977 Clean Water Act: wood preserving, insulation board, and wet process hardboard sectors; also reorganization of some subcategories. * (3.8 MB, January 26, 1981, 46 FR 8260) * (22.31 MB, January 1981, 440/1-81/023)
Industry description, wastewater characterization, treatment technologies, regulatory compliance cost estimates and pollutant loadings for the 1981 final rule. Wood preserving, insulation board, and wet process hardboard sectors only. * (4.93 MB, October 31, 1979, 44 FR 62810)

1976 Amendment

"Phase III" rule: PSES; Subparts A–M, Q–R * (1.2 MB, December 9, 1976, 41 FR 53930) * (296.66 KB, June 2, 1975, 40 FR 23829) * (486.8 KB, January 16, 1975, 40 FR 2834) * (386.3 KB, April 18, 1974, 39 FR 13952)

1975 Amendment

"Phase II" rule: BPT, BAT, NSPS, PSNS; Subparts I–M * (1.15 MB, January 16, 1975, 40 FR 2804) * (1.91 MB, August 26, 1974, 39 FR 30892)

1974 Initial Rulemaking

"Phase I" rule: BPT, BAT, NSPS, PSNS; Subparts A–H * (1.6 MB, April 18, 1974, 39 FR 13942) * (12.34 MB, April 1974, 440/1-74/023a)
Describes industry processes, pollutants generated, available control and treatment technologies, the technical basis for the final rule, and costs of the rule * (1.95 MB, January 3, 1974, 39 FR 938)

Additional Information

For additional information regarding the Timber Products Processing Effluent Guidelines, please contact Ahmar Siddiqui (siddiqui.ahmar@epa.gov) or 202-566-1044.

Effluent Guidelines

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