WSR 19-22-079
DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY
[Filed November 6, 2019, 6:51 a.m.]
Reissuance of the Industrial Stormwater General Permit
On November 20, 2019, the department of ecology (ecology) will reissue the industrial stormwater national pollutant discharge elimination system and state waste discharge general permit (permit). The permit becomes effective on January 1, 2020, and expires on December 31, 2024.
Purpose of the Permit: The permit addresses various legal requirements and responsibilities, and regulates the discharge of pollutants to protect water quality in Washington state. State and federal water quality statutes and regulations do not allow the discharge of pollutants to waters of the state without permit coverage. Stormwater may become contaminated by industrial activities as a result of contact with materials stored outside, spills and leaks from equipment or materials used onsite, contact with materials during loading, unloading or transfer from one location to another, and from airborne contaminants and therefore require a discharge permit. When the permitted activities conducted by a specific class of industries are similar, ecology issues a general permit to cover all of them rather than issuing a series of individual permits.
Public Notice Process and Comments: Ecology accepted public comments on the draft permit and fact sheet from May 1, 2019, through June 29, 2019. Ecology held public workshops and hearings during this time and via an online statewide webinar on June 19, 2019. Ecology received oral and written comments during the public comment period. The comments and ecology's responses are included in Appendix D of the fact sheet.
Copies of the Permit: You may download copies of the final permit, fact sheet, response to comments, and other supporting documents online at https://ecology.wa.gov/industrialstormwaterpermit. You may also request copies from Dena Jaskar at 360-407-6401 or email Dena.Jaskar@ecy.wa.gov.
Applying for Coverage under the Permit: Facilities that have already applied for coverage and are covered under the existing permit will be covered under the new permit. New or unpermitted facilities may obtain coverage under the permit by submitting a complete permit application to ecology and satisfying all applicable public notice and State Environmental Policy Act requirements (WAC 173-226-200). Access to the application is available online at https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Guidance-technical-assistance/Water-quality-permits-guidance/WQWebPortal-guidance.
Ecology Contact: Travis Porter, Washington State Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696, phone 360-407-6127, email Travis.Porter@ecy.wa.gov.
Your Right to Appeal: You have a right to appeal the final general permit and the general permit coverage for a specific facility to the pollution control hearings board (PCHB). The appeal process is governed by chapters 43.21B RCW and 371-08 WAC.
•Appeals of the general permit issuance must be filed within thirty days of issuance of the general permit. See the appeal of the general permit focus sheet for more information, at https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/documents/1710009.pdf.
•Appeals of the general permit coverage for a specific facility must be filed within thirty days of the effective date of coverage. See the appeal of a general permit coverage focus sheet for more information, at https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/documents/1710007.pdf.
If you have questions, please contact Travis Porter at 360-407-6127 or Travis.Porter@ecy.wa.gov.