The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) proposes to reissue the vessel deconstruction National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and state waste discharge general permit (permit). The current permit was last issued in November 2019 and is scheduled to expire in December 2024. The revised draft permit and fact sheet, which explains the legal and technical basis for the permit, are available with any associated documents for review and public comment from October 18, 2023, through December 6, 2023, 11:59 p.m. Ecology will host informational workshops and public hearings on the draft permit.

Purpose of the Permit: The permit provides statewide NPDES coverage for the deconstruction of vessels over water, including deconstruction activities that occur on a drydock, barge, or pier. The permit does not provide coverage to facilities that are covered under the boatyard general permit or an individual permit that allows this activity. Vessel deconstruction does not include disturbances incidental to vessel retrieval.

The proposed vessel deconstruction general permit limits the discharge of pollutants associated with vessel deconstruction activities to surface waters under the authority of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251) and limits the discharge of pollutants to surface and groundwater under the authority of the State Water Pollution Control Act (chapter 90.48 RCW).

Applying for Coverage Under the Permit: All facilities may obtain coverage under the permit by submitting a complete permit application to ecology and satisfying all applicable public notice and State Environmental Policy Act requirements (WAC 173-226-200). Access to the application is available online at https://ecology.wa.gov/vesseldeconstruction.

Copies of the Draft Permit and Fact Sheet: The draft permit and fact sheet are available online at https://ecology.wa.gov/vesseldeconstruction by end of day on October 18, 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 October 18, 2023, through December 6, 2023, 11:59 p.m. Ecology prefers online comment submission via the eComment form (link below). Written comments by mail must be postmarked by December 6, 2023. Comments should reference specific permit text when possible.

By mail: Send to Eric Daiber, VDGP Permit Writer, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696, phone 360-742-1511, email Eric.Daiber@ecy.wa.gov.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities (ADA): 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 public hearing will begin immediately following the public workshop and will conclude when public testimony is complete.

The vessel deconstruction general permit workshops and hearings will occur on November 29, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., via webinar. Register for the webinar at https://waecy-wa-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvcO-vqDotG9XDz4crkKdWk2PyZUE2eyZk; and on November 28, 2023, at 5:30 p.m., via webinar. Register for the webinar at https://waecy-wa-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkde2hqDMjG9zZP8UNzhdJqFH0TCHTuQed.

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 on the general permit in April 2024.