On March 17, 2021, the Washington department of ecology (Ecology) will reissue the aquatic plant and algae management national pollutant discharge elimination system and state waste discharge general permit (permit). The permit becomes effective on April 21, 2021, and expires on March 21, 2026.

Purpose of the Permit: The permit provides coverage for the use of pesticides and other products applied to manage aquatic nuisance plants, noxious weeds, quarantine-listed weeds, algae, and phosphorus in fresh surface waters of the state of Washington. 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 chemicals. Private individuals or businesses with a pesticide applicator license that apply pesticides, other aquatic plant management products, and phosphorous sequestration products 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 and fact sheet from October 21, through December 7, 2020. Ecology held public workshops and hearings during this time. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the workshops and hearings were held via online statewide webinars on December 2 and 3, 2020. Ecology received oral and written comments during the public comment period. The comments and ecology's responses are included in Appendix C of the fact sheet, the response to comments document.

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/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Aquatic-pesticide-permits/Aquatic-plant-algae-management. You may also request copies from Kimberly Adams at kimberly.adams@ecy.wa.gov or 360-407-6448.

Your Right to Appeal: You have a right to appeal the final general permit and the general permit coverage for a specific facility to the pollution control hearings board (PCHB). 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 the 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.

Ecology Contact: Danielle Edelman, Washington State Department of Ecology, Water Quality Program, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696, email danielle.edelman@ecy.wa.gov, phone 360-407-7118.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: To request ADA accommodation for disabilities, call ecology at 360-407-7285 or visit https://ecology.wa.gov/accessibility. People with impaired hearing may call Washington relay service at 711. People with speech disability may call TTY at 877-833-6341.