The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) proposes to reissue the Construction Stormwater National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and state waste discharge general permit (CSGP). The current permit was last issued January 1, 2021, and is scheduled to expire December 31, 2025. The draft revised permit and associated documents, which explain the legal and technical basis for the permit, are available for review and public comment from 9:00 a.m. on March 19, 2025, through 11:59 p.m. on May 9, 2025. Ecology will host formal public meetings and hearings on the draft permit.

Purpose of the permit: Ecology's water quality general permits address various legal requirements and responsibilities and regulate the discharge of pollutants to protect water quality in Washington state. The CSGP authorizes the discharge of stormwater and conditionally approved nonstormwater associated with construction activity. The permit is a combined NPDES and state waste discharge permit that limits the discharge of pollutants to surface waters under the authority of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, Title 33 U.S.C. Section 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: Facilities that apply for coverage by July 3, 2025, and are covered under the existing permit, are covered under the new permit. New or unpermitted 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 (SEPA) requirements (WAC 173-226-200). Access to the application is available online at ecology.wa.gov/ConstructionStormwaterPermit.

Copies of the draft permit and fact sheet: The draft permit and fact sheet are available online at ecology.wa.gov/ConstructionStormwaterPermit by noon on March 19, 2025. You may request hard copies from the water quality program by contacting 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 9:00 a.m. on March 19, 2025, through May 9, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. Ecology prefers online comment submission. Written comments by mail must be postmarked by May 9, 2025. Comments should reference specific permit text when possible.

You can submit written comments online at https://wq.ecology.commentinput.com?id=utb948AgP (preferred method); or by U.S. mail (postmarked by May 9, 2025) to: Kendra Henderson, Washington Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696.

Public meetings and hearings: The public meeting seeks to explain the general permit and to answer questions prior to the formal public hearing. The hearing provides an opportunity for people to give formal oral testimony and written comments on the proposed draft permit. Oral testimony heard during the hearing 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.

In-person public meeting and hearing: On April 21, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., at the Washington State Department of Ecology, Main Auditorium, 300 Desmond Drive S.E., Lacey, WA 98503.

Online public meeting and hearing: On April 24, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. For more information and to register, visit ecology's CSGP website at ecology.wa.gov/ConstructionStormwaterPermit.

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 winter 2026.

ADA accessibility: To request an ADA accommodation, contact ecology by phone at 360-407-6600 (water quality program reception), email the permit writer at kendra.henderson@ecy.wa.gov, or visit https://ecology.wa.gov/accessibility. For relay service or TTY call 711 or 877-833-6341.