On November 6, 2019, the Washington state department of ecology (ecology) is reissuing the vessel deconstruction national pollutant discharge elimination system and state waste discharge general permit (permit). The permit becomes effective on December 6, 2019, and expires on December 5, 2024.

State and federal water quality regulations do not allow the discharge of pollutants to waters of the state without permit coverage. Activities associated with the deconstruction of vessels can result in the discharge of potential pollutants, and therefore require a discharge permit before these activities may occur. Ecology issues general permits in place of a series of individual permits when the permitted activities are similar.

Purpose of the Permit: The permit provides statewide coverage for the deconstruction of vessels over water, including deconstruction activities that occur on a drydock, barge, or pier. The permit does not provide coverage to facilities that are covered under the boatyard general permit or an individual permit that allows this activity. Vessel deconstruction does not include disturbances related to vessel retrieval. The purpose of the permit is to control the discharge of pollutants from stormwater, drydock floodwater, and nonstormwater discharges associated with vessel deconstruction activities into waters of the state. Under federal and state water quality laws (federal Clean Water Act and state Water Pollution Control Act); a permit is required for the discharge of these wastewaters. Entities that conduct vessel deconstruction activities over water and discharge wastewater either directly or indirectly to waters of the state must obtain permit authorization for their discharge.

Public Notice Process and Comments: Ecology accepted public comments on the draft permit, fact sheet, and related documents from August 21, 2019, through September 27, 2019. Ecology held a public workshop and hearing in Seattle, Washington on September 24, 2019, and an online webinar on September 23, 2019. Ecology received written comments during the public comment period. The comments and ecology's responses are included in Appendix C of the fact sheet.

Copies of the Permit: You may download copies of the final permit, fact sheet, response to comments, and other supporting documents online at https://ecology.wa.gov/vesseldeconstruction. You may also request copies from Dena Jaskar at 360-407-6401, or email dena.jaskar@ecy.wa.gov.

Applying for Coverage Under the Permit: Facilities that have already applied for coverage by June 3, 2019, and are covered under the existing 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 meet all applicable public notice and State Environmental Policy Act requirements (WAC 173-226-200). Access to the application is available online at https://ecology.wa.gov/vesseldeconstruction.

Ecology Contact: Adrien Carroll-Perkins, Washington State Department of Ecology, Water Quality Program, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696, phone 360-407-7386, email adrien.carroll-perkins@ecy.wa.gov.

Your Right to Appeal: You have a right to appeal the final general permit and general permit coverage for a specific facility to the pollution control hearings board. The appeal process is governed by chapters 43.21B RCW and 371-08 WAC.


•	Appeals of the general permit issuance must be filed within thirty days of issuance of the general permit. See the Appeal of the General Permit Focus Sheet for more information, at https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/documents/1710009.pdf.
•	Appeals of general permit coverage for a specific facility must be filed within thirty days of the effective date of coverage. See the Appeal of a General Permit Coverage Focus Sheet for more information, at https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/documents/1710007.pdf.