Proposed Modified Permits: The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) proposes to modify two aquatic pesticide general permits:

At the request of permittees, ecology proposes to authorize the use of additional tools to control aquatic plants, algae, and noxious weeds. The tools include:


•	The Aquatic Plant and Algae Management General Permit (APAM permit).
•	The Aquatic Noxious Weed Management General Permit (NOX permit).


•	Three herbicides.
•	One algaecide.
•	Two phosphorous inactivation products.
•	Adjuvants registered by the Washington state department of agriculture (WSDA).

State and federal water quality regulations do not allow the discharge of pollutants to waters of the state without permit coverage. The chemicals allowed for use in the proposed permit modification are potential pollutants, and therefore require a discharge permit before application. Ecology issues general permits in place of a series of individual permits when the permitted activities are similar.

Purpose of the Permits: The APAM permit and NOX permit are both national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permits. The APAM permit regulates the use of herbicides, algaecides, adjuvants, and phosphorous inactivation products for control of noxious weeds, native nuisance plants, algae, and phosphorous in surface waters of Washington state.

The NOX permit regulates the use of herbicides, adjuvants, and marker dyes to control Washington state listed noxious weeds and quarantine-listed weeds. It covers marine and freshwater applications that may indirectly enter surface waters of Washington.

Coverage under the NOX permit is available to WSDA, and individuals or entities contracting with WSDA as limited agents, for applications statewide.

Copies of the Draft Permits: Starting on November 7, 2018, the draft permits, fact sheets, and other supporting documents are available on the following web pages.

Documents related to the NOX permit: https://Ecology.wa.gov/AquaticNoxiousWeeds.

Additionally, you may request copies of documents from Stacey Callaway via email Stacey.Callaway@ecy.wa.gov or 360-407-7118.

Workshop and Public Hearing: The workshop will explain the proposed modifications to the permits and answer questions about the proposed modifications prior to the public hearing. The hearing will begin after the public workshop and will conclude when public testimony is complete.

During the hearing, the public may give oral testimony and written comments on the proposed modifications to the permits. Written comments will receive the same consideration as oral testimony. Only the portions of the permits revised during this permit modification are available for comment.

Monday, December 10, 2018, at 9:30 a.m., ecology is offering this hearing via webinar1. To join the webinar, click on the following link for more information and instructions, https://bit.ly/2NBjFXW.

1 Webinars are an online meeting forum that you can attend from any computer using internet access.

Monday, December 10, 2018, at 1:30 p.m., Washington State Department of Ecology, 300 Desmond Drive S.E., Lacey, WA 98504.

Submitting Written Comments: Ecology will accept written comments on the draft permit, fact sheet, and supporting documentation from November 7, 2018, until 11:59 p.m. on December 21, 2018. Ecology prefers you submit comments through the comment form on the permit web page. Comments should reference specific permit text when possible.


•	Online via the e-comment formhttp://ws.ecology.commentinput.com/?id=7Y5ip.
•	By mail Stacey Callaway, Washington State Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696.

Issuing the Modified Permits: Ecology will make the final decision on the permit modifications after we consider all public comments. If public comments cause a substantial change in the permit conditions from the original draft permit modification, we may provide another public notice of draft and comment period. Ecology expects to issue the general permit modification in the spring of 2019.

Ecology Contact: Stacey Callaway, Washington State Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696, 360-407-7118, Stacey.Callaway@ecy.wa.gov.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: If you need special accommodation or documents in alternative formats, please contact the ecology facility coordinator Sultana Shah at 360-407-6831 or 877-833-6341.

En Español: Para información en español, por favor comuníquese con Gustavo Ordóñez al 360-407-6619.