WSR 21-23-106
DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY
[Filed November 17, 2021, 8:38 a.m.]
PUBLIC NOTICE
Announcing the Issuance of the Final Puget Sound Nutrient
General Permit
The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) is issuing the Final Puget Sound Nutrient General Permit National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit on December 1, 2021. The permit becomes effective on January 1, 2022, and expires on December 31, 2026.
Purpose of the Permit: The final permit addresses various legal requirements and responsibilities, and regulates the discharge of nutrients to protect water quality in Washington state. The permit is based on a combination of federal and state authority: It is both a NPDES permit that limits the discharge of nitrogen to surface waters under the authority of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251) and state waste discharge permit that limits the discharge of pollutants to surface water 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 June 16, 2021, through August 16, 2021. Ecology held informational public workshops and hearings during this time via online statewide webinars on July 20 and 21, 2021. Ecology received written public comments and emails. The comments and ecology's responses are included as Appendix C of the fact sheet.
Copies of the Permit: The final permit, fact sheet, and response to comments are available online at ecology.wa.gov/NutrientPermit. You may request hard copies from Matthew Tietjen at matthew.tietjen@ecy.wa.gov or 360-407-6401.
Applying for Coverage under the Permit: The final permit identifies the 58 facilities that must apply for permit coverage, by submitting an electronic notice of intent (eNOI) within 90 days of the issuance date. Based on the December 1, 2021, permit issuance date, the deadline for each facility's eNOI is March 1, 2022. Ecology is sending each facility step by step instructions to guide them through the application process using SecureAccess Washington account to access the eNOI through the WQWebPortal.
Ecology Contact: Eleanor Ott, Washington State Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696, phone 360-280-5624, email eleanor.ott@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.
En Español: Para información en español, por favor comuníquese con Eleanor Ott al 360-407-6619.
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 30 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 30 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 Eleanor Ott at eleanor.ott@ecy.wa.gov or 360-280-5624.