WSR 21-08-041

DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY

[Filed April 1, 2021, 11:32 a.m.]

The department of ecology (ecology) is seeking public comment on the draft Washington State Water Quality Assessment (assessment). The assessment fulfills Washington state's obligation under the federal Clean Water Act to identify polluted waters (known as the § 303(d) list) as well as report on the status of water quality in the state (called the § 305(b) Report). Ecology gathered and analyzed water quality data and information that was received through 2017 for this draft Assessment.

Ecology is conducting a public review on the assessment until June 4, 2021. We encourage the public to review waters they are familiar with and provide comments on the draft assessment conclusions. If a reviewer disagrees with an assessment result, please provide specific comments and supporting data to us.

How can I learn more about reviewing the Assessment results? For information on the assessment and to gain access to the public review draft of the assessment, go to our website at https://ecology.wa.gov/303d.

We will hold a statewide webinar on April 20, 2021, to provide background information on the assessment and to share tips on how to use the online search and map tools to review the draft results.

Water quality assessment public webinar, on April 20, 2021, at 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. To register go to https://watech.webex.com/watech/onstage/g.php?MTID=ed8fb793db19d7e801e8078e5f952412d.

The deadline for public comments is 5:00 p.m., Friday, June 4, 2021. Please submit comments in one of three ways: Through the online comment form provided on the internet review tool; by email at 303d@ecy.wa.gov; or in writing to the address below.

What Happens after the Public Review? Ecology will review all comments received and make changes to the assessment, which will then be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency for approval of the Category 5 list of waters (i.e. the 303(d) list). Approved Category 5 listings will need to have a cleanup plan developed (also known as a total maximum daily load) to improve water quality so that the water is meeting water quality standards.

To submit comments or ask any other question about this process, please contact Jeremy Reiman, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600, email 303d@ecy.wa.gov, phone 360-819-0197.