The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) proposes to reissue the Phase I, Western and EasternPhase II Municipal Stormwater National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and State Waste Discharge General Permits (permits). The current permits were last issued in August 2019 and are scheduled to expire at the end of July 2024. The revised draft permits and fact sheet, which explains the legal and technical basis for the permits, are available with any associated documents for review and public comment from August 16, 2023, through November 10, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. Ecology will host informational workshops and public hearings on the draft permits.

Purpose of the Permits: The permits provide coverage for municipalities and secondary permittees to develop and implement a stormwater management program to control stormwater runoff into and from their municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4). 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 municipal stormwater. Phase I and Phase II municipalities and secondary permittees that discharge stormwater either directly or indirectly to waters of the state must obtain permit authorization for their discharge.

Applying for Coverage Under the Permit: Facilities covered under the existing permits will apply for coverage by February 1, 2024. New or unpermitted facilities may obtain coverage under the permits by submitting a complete permit application to ecology and satisfying all applicable public notice and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) requirements (WAC 173-226-200). Access to the application is available online at https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Stormwater-general-permits/Municipal-stormwater-general-permits.

Copies of the Draft Permit and Fact Sheet: The draft permits and fact sheet are available online at https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Stormwater-general-permits/Municipal-stormwater-general-permits/Municipal-stormwater-permit-reissuance by end of day on August 16, 2023. You may request hard copies from Jackie Lince at jackie.lince@ecy.wa.gov or 360-407-6600.

Submitting Written Comments: Ecology will accept written comments on the draft permit from August 16 through November 10, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. Ecology prefers online comment submission via the eComment form (link below) on the permit web page. Written comments by mail must be postmarked by November 10, 2023. Comments should reference specific permit text when possible.

By mail: Send to Abbey Stockwell, Washington State Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696, phone 360-280-2934, email abbey.stockwell@ecy.wa.gov.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: To request Americans with Disabilities Act 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 permits 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 permits. Oral testimony will receive the same consideration as written comments. The public hearing will begin immediately following the public workshop and will conclude when public testimony is complete. Meeting details and registration https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Stormwater-general-permits/Municipal-stormwater-general-permits/Municipal-stormwater-permit-reissuance.

Issuing the Permits: After ecology receives and considers all public comments, ecology will make a final decision on permit issuance. Ecology expects to make a decision on the general permits in July 2024.