These management activities may result in the discharge of chemicals to the surface waters of the state of Washington in Willapa Bay. We are also issuing a scoping notice for an environmental impact statement (EIS) to cover this activity. Find the EIS scoping notice and more information at www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/pesticides/eelgrass.html. Ecology is requesting comments from the public about whether or not it is appropriate for ecology to develop a permit for this activity. This comment period for this revised permit proposal is from October 3, through November 2, 2012, at 5 p.m. Ecology prefers to have comments submitted by e-mail, but accepts all comments.

     E-mail your comments to Kathy Hamel at EelgrassComments@ecy.wa.gov.

     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 clam beds general permit (permit) in Willapa Bay will regulate the use of the herbicide imazamox and marker dyes applied to manage Japanese eelgrass on commercial clam beds where imazamox may enter the surface waters of the state of Washington.

     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.