Announcing the Proposal of a Japanese Eelgrass Management
on Commercial Shellfish Beds General Permit
These management activities may result in the discharge of chemicals to the surface waters of the state of Washington. We are requesting comments about whether or not it is appropriate for ecology to develop a permit for this activity. This comment period ends March 9, 2012, at 5 p.m. Please direct comments to Kathy Hamel, Washington State Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600, phone (360) 407-6562, e-mail Kathy.Hamel@ecy.wa.gov.
Purpose of the General Permit: The Japanese eelgrass management on commercial shellfish beds general permit (permit) will regulate the use of herbicides and other products applied to manage Japanese eelgrass on commercial shellfish beds where herbicides or other products may enter the surface waters of the state of Washington. The permit will cover activities that result in a discharge of herbicides, adjuvants, and marker dyes into estuaries and marine areas to manage Japanese eelgrass on commercial shellfish beds.
Under the Washington State Water Pollution Control Act, a permit is required for the discharge of pollutants which may alter the biological or chemical characteristics of a water body. The proposed permit addresses these legal requirements and regulates the discharge of pollutants to protect surface water quality in Washington state.
Ecology issues general permits in place of a series of individual permits when the permitted activities are similar. Agencies that receive coverage under the general permit must comply with the terms and conditions of the permit.
For more information http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/pesticides/eelgrass.html.