WSR 16-06-104

[Filed March 1, 2016, 2:06 p.m.]

The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) proposes to reissue the boatyard national pollutant discharge elimination system and state waste discharge general permit (permit). The permit was last issued in March 2011 and is scheduled to expire May 31, 2016. The new draft permit and fact sheet, which explains the technical basis for the permit, are available for review and public comment from March 16, 2016, through April 29, 2016. Ecology will host two informational workshops and public hearings on the draft permit.

Purpose of the Permit: The permit provides coverage for discharges of treated pressure-wash wastewater and storm water runoff from certain boatyards to waters of the state. Under federal and state water quality law (Federal Clean Water Act and State Water Pollution Control Act), a permit is required for the discharge of wastewater and storm water runoff from certain specified industries, including boatyards. Boatyards must obtain permit authorization for their discharge if they: (1) Engage in the construction, repair, or maintenance of small vessels (boats or ships) where eighty-five percent of those vessels are sixty-five feet in length or less; or (2) generate more than eighty-five percent of their gross receipts from revenues returned from the construction, repair, or maintenance of those small vessels; and (3) discharge wastewater or storm water runoff either directly or indirectly to surface water or ground water.

Applying for Coverage under the Permit: Facilities that are covered under the current permit and have applied for coverage under the new 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 http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/permits/boatyard/application.html.

Copies of the Draft Permit and Fact Sheet: The draft permit and fact sheet are available online at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/permits/boatyard/publicinvolvement.html. You may also request copies from Dena Jaskar at dena.jaskar@ecy.wa.gov or (360) 407-6401.

Submitting Written Comments: Ecology will accept written comments on the draft permit and fact sheet from March 16, 2016, through April 29, 2016, at 11:59 p.m. All comments, including those sent by e-mail, must contain the commenter's name and postal address. Comments should reference specific permit text when possible. Submit written comments to James M. Maroncelli, Washington State Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696, e-mail boatyardgpcomments@ecy.wa.gov. All comments must be postmarked or received via e-mail no later than April 29, 2016, at 11:59 p.m.

Workshops and Hearings: The public hearings and workshops on the permit will be held in Lacey, Everett, and via webinar. At the workshops ecology will explain the draft permit and answer questions. A hearing will follow each workshop. The hearings will provide the opportunity for formal oral testimony and comments on the proposed permit. The public hearings will begin immediately following the public workshops.

Workshops and Hearings: On Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at 1 p.m., at the Everett Community College, Corporate and Continuing Education Center, 2333 Seaway Boulevard, Everett, WA 98203; on April 20, 2016, at 1 p.m., via webinar, please visit http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/permits/boatyard/index.html to sign up; and on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at 1 p.m., at the Washington State Department of Ecology, 300 Desmond Drive, Lacey, WA 98503-1274.

Issuing the Permit: After ecology receives and considers all public comments, it will issue the final permit and a response to comments. Ecology expects to issue the new permit and response to comments in June 2016, with an effective date of the permit of July 2, 2016.