WSR 15-16-111

[Filed August 4, 2015, 1:43 p.m.]

The Draft Upland Fin-Fish Hatching and Rearing NPDES General Permit: The upland fin-fish hatching and rearing NPDES general permit, issued by the Washington state department of ecology (ecology) expired on August 1, 2015.

The draft upland fin-fish hatching and rearing NPDES general permit and fact sheet are available for review and public comment from August 19, 2015, through October 5, 2015. Ecology will host an informational workshop and a public hearing on the draft permit on September 28, 2015, in Lacey, Washington. Ecology will accept written comments on the draft permit, fact sheet, and application or oral comments can be given at the public hearing.

Purpose of the Permit: The proposed permit implements the Federal Clean Water Act; the State Water Pollution Control Act; and chapter 172-221A [173-221A] WAC, Wastewater discharge standards and effluent limitations. The purpose of the upland fin-fish hatching and rearing general permit is to regulate the discharge of pollutants from upland fin-fish hatching and rearing facilities into waters of the state. Dischargers who require coverage under this permit include all state and private hatcheries that produce more than 20,000 pounds of fish per year or feed more than 5,000 pounds of feed per month. The permit contains best management practices and effluent limitations and monitoring requirements necessary to protect state water quality.

Copies of the Draft Permit: You may download a copy of the permit and fact sheet at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/permits/fin_fish/index.html; or you may request a copy of the permit or fact sheet from Tricia Miller, (425) 649-7201 or e-mail tmil461@ecy.wa.gov.

Ecology Contact: Lori LeVander, Washington State Department of Ecology, NWRO, 3190 160th Avenue S.E., Bellevue, WA 98008-5452, phone (425) 649-7039, fax (425) 649-7098, e-mail llev461@ecy.wa.gov.

Submitting Written and Oral Comments: Ecology will accept written and oral comments on the draft permit and fact sheet no later than October 5, 2015. Ecology prefers comments to be submitted by e-mail. E-mailed comments must contain the commenter's name and postal address. Comments should reference the specific permit and specific text when possible.

Submit written comments to Lori LeVander, Washington State Department of Ecology, NWRO, 3190 160th Avenue S.E., Bellevue, WA 98008-5452.

Written comments must be postmarked no later than October 5, 2015.

Submit comments by e-mail to llev461@ecy.wa.gov. You must send e-mail comments no later than October 5, 2015. You may also provide oral testimony at the public hearing that begins at 2 p.m. on September 28, 2015.

Hearing and Workshop: The public hearing and workshop on the permit is on September 28, 2015, 2 p.m., at Ecology Headquarters, 300 Desmond Drive S.E., Lacey, WA 98503, (360) 407-6000. At the workshop, ecology will explain the draft permit and answer questions. A hearing will immediately follow the workshop. The hearing will provide the opportunity for formal oral testimony and comments on the proposed permit.

Issuing the Permits: After ecology receives and considers all public comments, it will issue the final permit. If public comments cause a substantial change in the permit conditions from the original permit, another public notice of draft and comment period will occur. Ecology expects to issue the general permit in October 2015, effective December 1, 2015.