Proposed Permit for Reissuance: The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) proposes to reissue the aquatic mosquito control general 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 are potential pollutants, and therefore require a discharge permit. When the permitted activities are similar, ecology issues general permits in place of a series of individual permits.

Purpose of the Permit: The aquatic mosquito control general permit is a national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permit and state waste discharge permit. The permit conditionally authorizes discharges of larvicides and indirect discharges of adulticides to surface waters of Washington state, to control mosquitoes.

Copies of the Draft Permit: Starting on March 6, 2019, the draft permit, fact sheet, and other supporting documents are available on the following web page: https://ecology.wa.gov/mosquitopermit.

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 revisions to the permit and answer questions about the proposed revisions 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 permit. Written comments will receive the same consideration as oral testimony.

Webinar Hearing: On Tuesday, April 9, 2019, at 9:30 a.m., ecology is offering this hearing via webinar1. Click on the following link for instructions explaining how to join the webinar: https://ecology.wa.gov/mosquitopermit.

In-Person Hearing: On Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at 10:00 a.m., Central Washington University, Student Union and Recreation Center, Room SURC 137A, 1007 North Chestnut, Ellensburg, WA 98926. For directions and parking instructions, click on the link: https://ecology.wa.gov/mosquitopermit.

Submitting Written Comments: Ecology will accept written comments on the draft permit, fact sheet, and supporting documents from March 6, 2019, until 11:59 p.m. on April 19, 2019. Ecology prefers you submit comments through the comment form on the permit web page. Comments should reference specific permit text when possible.

Submit comments: Online via the e-Comment form:http://ws.ecology.commentinput.com/?id=VfHgZ; or by mail: Stacey Callaway, Washington State Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696.

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