Proposed Modified Permit: The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) proposes to modify FFPGP.

At the request of chemical purveyors, ecology proposes to authorize the use of additional products within the fresh fruit packing industry in Washington state. Those products include:


•	One postharvest fungicide for stone and pome fruits.
•	Two wastewater treatment coagulants for treating wastewater from the fresh fruit packing industry prior to discharge under the permit.

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:


•	Have similar wastewater characteristics among facilities;
•	Have uniform discharge conditions to which all facilities would be subject; and
•	Because the significant reduction of resources necessary for permit handling.

Purpose of the Permit: In 1994, ecology developed a national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) general permit to regulate the discharge of wastewater from fresh fruit packing facilities.

This permit was developed to meet the requirements of chapters 90.48, 90.52, and 90.54 RCW as amended, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Title 33 United States Code, Section 1251 et seq.) as amended. All requirements of 40 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) 122.41 and 122.42 are incorporated in this general permit by reference.

This general permit establishes treatment/disposal methods, effluent limits, and best management practices for discharges from the fresh fruit packing industry. Compliance with this general permit is anticipated to protect human health and waters of the state.

Types of Facilities or Dischargers and Geographic Area Covered: Every new or existing fresh fruit packing facility within the entire state of Washington which receives, packs, stores, and/or ships either hard or soft fruit is required to apply for coverage under either this general permit or an individual NPDES/state waste discharge permit.

The modified general permit will also be available to every new or existing fresh fruit packing facility within the entire state of Washington. Exiting facilities currently holding coverage permits under FFPGP do not need to reapply for coverage under the modified general permit.

Issuance and Effective Dates of the Current FFPGP: The current issue of the FFPGP was issued on July 20, 2016, and became effective on September 1, 2016. The general permit will expire on August 31, 2021.

Documents Available for Review: This notice will be published in the Washington State Register and in the legal section of the Yakima Herald-Republic and the Wenatchee Daily World on March 6, 2019. A mailing containing this notice will be sent to all current permittees and other interested parties.

You may download a copy of the draft modified permit and fact sheet addendum at https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Fresh-fruit-packing-general-permit; or you may request a copy from Cynthia Huwe, 509-457-7105 or email cynthia.huwe@ecy.wa.gov.

Workshop and Public Hearing: The workshop will explain the proposed modifications to the permit 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 permit. 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.

LOCATION: Washington Department of Ecology, Central Regional Office, 1250 West Alder Street, Room Number 102/B, Union Gap, WA 98903.

When and How to Submit Comments: Comments on the proposed modifications to the general permit may be given at the public hearing. Interested persons are also invited to submit written comments regarding the proposed modifications to the general permit. All written comments must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. (PST) on April 8, 2019, to:


•	Online via the e-Comment form http://ws.ecology.commentinput.com/?id=g9KT6.
•	By mail: Cynthia Huwe, Washington State Department of Ecology, Central Regional Office, 1250 West Alder Street, Union Gap, WA 98903.

Tentative Determination to Issue: Ecology will receive and consider all public comments, either written or given in public testimony. Ecology will then issue the final modified general permit for the fresh fruit packing industry. Ecology expects to issue the modified general permit between April 16-18, 2019, with an effective date of June 10, 2019.

Ecology Contact: Marcia Porter, marcia.porter@ecy.wa.gov, 509-454-7864, Washington State Department of Ecology, Central Regional Office, 1250 West Alder Street, Union Gap, WA 98903.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: If you need special accommodation or documents in alternative formats, please contact the central regional office of ecology facility coordinator Cynthia Huwe at 509-457-7105.

En Español: Para información en español, por favor comuníquese con Coleman Miller al 509-454-4246.