WSR 13-21-045

[Filed October 10, 2013, 2:10 p.m.]

Draft Permit: The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) issued a general permit to the Washington state department of transportation (WSDOT) on January 21, 2009. The permit covers discharges from its municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4). MS4s are conveyances or a system of conveyances including roads with drainage systems, streets, catch basins, ditches, man-made channels, and storm drains.

The effective date of this permit was February 21, 2009, and it expires March 6, 2014. A new draft permit is available for review and comment from November 6, 2013, until January 10, 2014. The new draft permit continues WSDOT's stormwater management program, adds requirements for new water cleanup areas impacted by WSDOT stormwater sewer system and expands WSDOT's requirements to implement low impact development best management practices where feasible.

Purpose of the Permit: State and federal regulations require WSDOT to have national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permit coverage in areas covered by Phase I and Phase II of the municipal stormwater permit program. This permit covers stormwater runoff from state highways, rest areas, park and ride lots, ferry terminals, and maintenance facilities. The permit addresses these legal requirements and regulates the discharge of pollutants to protect water quality in Washington state.

Copies of the Draft Permit: You may download a copy of the permit and fact sheet at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/municipal/wsdot.html. You may request copies of the permit or fact sheet from the water quality program reception at (360) 407-6600.

Ecology Contact: Foroozan Labib, Washington State Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696, phone (360) 407-6439, fax (360) 407-6426, e-mail foroozan.labib@ecy.wa.gov.

Submitting Written and Oral Comments: Ecology will accept written and oral comments on the draft WSDOT municipal stormwater general permit and fact sheet until 5 p.m., January 10, 2014. Ecology prefers comments be submitted by e-mail. E-mailed comments must contain the commenter's name and postal address. Comments should reference specific text when possible.

Ecology prefers comments be submitted by e-mail to foroozan.labib@ecy.wa.gov. Written comments must be postmarked or received via e-mail no later than 5 p.m., January 10, 2014.

Submit written, hard copy comments to Foroozan Labib, Washington State Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696.

Hearing and Workshop: A public workshop to explain the proposed changes to the permit, followed by a public hearing, will be held in Lacey, Washington. The purpose of the hearing is to provide an opportunity for people to give formal oral testimony and comments on the proposed permit.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014, 1:30 p.m., Department of Ecology, 300 Desmond Drive S.E., Lacey, WA.

Issuing the WSDOT Municipal Stormwater General Permit: After ecology receives and considers all public comments, it will make necessary changes, issue the permit and a response to comments. Ecology expects to issue the permit in March 2014.