The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) proposes to modify the Phase I Municipal Stormwater National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and state waste discharge general permit (permit). The current permit was last issued in July 2019 and is scheduled to expire at the end of July 2024. The revised draft modification of the permit and fact sheet, which explains the legal and technical basis for the permit modification, are available with any associated documents for review and public comment from July 21, through August 27, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. Ecology will host informational workshops and a public hearing(s) on the draft permit.

Purpose of the Permit: The permit regulates the discharges from storm sewer systems owned or operated by Clark, King, Pierce and Snohomish counties; the cities of Seattle and Tacoma; and public entities located in these cities and counties. The permit requires these municipalities and secondary permittees to protect surface water and groundwater quality by developing and implementing a stormwater management program to control stormwater runoff into and from their storm sewer systems.

Modifications to the Permit: One of the Phase I Municipal Stormwater Permit requirements is for Phase I municipalities to adopt a stormwater program that will provide equal or similar protection of receiving waters and pollutant control as compared to Appendix 1 of the permit. This modification will incorporate, in Appendix 10 of the permit, ecology's determination of equivalency for these stormwater programs.

Applying for a Permit: Facilities covered under the existing municipal stormwater general permits will continue to be covered under the modified permits. Areas covered by the Phase I Stormwater Permit are shown here https://waecy.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=df7f487bf29b4c24bf195146f22c3cb5.

Copies of the Draft Permit and Fact Sheet: The draft permit and fact sheet are available on-line at https://ecology.wa.gov/ms4 by end of day on July 20, 2021. You may also request copies from Matthew Tietjen at 360-407-6401 or by email at matthew.tietjen@ecy.wa.gov.

Submitting Written Comments: Ecology will accept written comments on the draft permit modification and fact sheet from July 21, through August 27, 2021, by 11:59 p.m. Ecology prefers online comment submission via the eComment form (link below) on the permit webpage. Written comments by mail must be postmarked by August 27, 2021. Comments should reference specific permit text when possible.

Ecology Contact: Emma Trewhitt, Washington State Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696, phone 360-338-5831, email emma.trewhitt@ecy.wa.gov.

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.

Public Workshop(s) and Hearing(s): The purpose of the workshop is to explain the general permit and to answer questions prior to the formal public hearing. The purpose of the hearing is to provide an opportunity for people to give formal oral testimony and written comments on the proposed draft permit. Oral testimony will receive the same consideration as written comments.

The permit modification workshops and hearings will occur at the following dates and times: On August 24, 2021, at 9:00 a.m., webinar*. Find the webinar information at https://ecology.wa.gov/ms4; and on August 24, 2021, at 5:00 p.m., Webinar*. Find the webinar information at https://ecology.wa.gov/ms4.

Issuing the Permit: After ecology receives and considers all public comments, we will make a final decision on permit issuance. Ecology expects to make a decision in October 2021.