WSR 20-22-084

DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY

[Filed November 3, 2020, 9:06 a.m.]

PUBLIC NOTICE

Announcing the Reissuance of the Construction Stormwater General Permit

The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) is reissuing the construction stormwater national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) and state waste discharge general permit (permit) on November 18, 2020. The permit becomes effective on January 1, 2021, and expires on December 31, 2025.

Purpose of the Permit: The permit addresses various legal requirements and responsibilities, and regulates the discharge of pollutants to protect water quality in Washington state. The permit authorizes the discharge of stormwater and authorized non-stormwater associated with construction activity. The permit is a combined NPDES and state waste discharge permit that limits the discharge of pollutants to surface waters under the authority of the federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C 1251) and limits the discharge of pollutants to surface and groundwater under the authority of the state Water Pollution Control Act (chapter 90.48 RCW).

Public Notice Process and Comments: Ecology accepted public comments on the draft permit and fact sheet from July 1 through August 14, 2020. Ecology held informational public workshops and hearings during this time via online statewide webinars on August 4 and 6, 2020. Ecology received written public comments and emails. The comments and ecology's responses are included as Appendix D of the fact sheet.

Copies of the Permit: The final permit, fact sheet, and response to comments are available online at https://ecology.wa.gov/constructionstormwaterpermit. You may request hard copies from Dena Jaskar at dena.jaskar@ecy.wa.gov or 360-407-6401.

Applying for Coverage under the Permit: Construction sites covered under the existing permit that reapplied for permit coverage will be covered under the new permit. New or unpermitted construction sites 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). The application is available online at https://secureaccess.wa.gov.

Ecology Contact: Noel Tamboer, Washington State Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696, phone 360-701-6171, email noel.tamboer@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.

If you have questions, please contact Noel Tamboer at noel.tamboer@ecy.wa.gov or 360-701-6171.