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 (CWA) 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 2021 for this draft assessment.

Ecology is conducting a public review on the assessment until January 10, 2025. We encourage the public to review waters they are familiar with and provide comments on the draft assessment listing decisions. If a reviewer disagrees with an assessment decision, please provide comment on the listing with data and information to support the comment.

How can I learn more about reviewing the assessment results? For information on the assessment and to gain access to the public review guidance materials and the draft 2022 assessment, please visit the Water Quality Assessment & 303(d) List web page.

We will hold a public webinar on November 13, 2024, 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: 2022 Water quality assessment public webinar, on November 13, 2024, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m., [contact agency for registration link].

The deadline for public comments is Friday, January 10, 2025. Please submit comments in one of three ways: Through the online comment form within the assessment; 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 needed 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 clean-up plan developed (also known as a total maximum daily load or TMDL) to improve water quality so that the water is meeting water quality standards.

To submit comments or ask any other questions about this process, please contact Justin Donahue, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600, email 303d@ecy.wa.gov, phone 360-628-3630.