WSR 12-04-079

DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY


[ Filed January 31, 2012, 10:56 a.m. ]


PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Workshop and Hearing to Accept Comments on the Proposed Modification of the General Permit for Aquatic Weed Control in Irrigation Systems



     The department of ecology is proposing to renew and modify the "irrigation system aquatic weed control national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) and state waste discharge general permit" in March 2012. The modified draft permit and fact sheet are available for review and public comment from February 15, 2012, to March 30, 2012. The department of ecology will host an informational workshop and public hearing on its proposal. The public is encouraged to give written comments during the public comment period or oral comments at the public hearing.

     Purpose of the Permit: The general permit covers the discharge of pesticides used in irrigation systems in Washington state to control plant and algae growth. The proposed permit addresses legal requirements under the Washington State Water Pollution Control Act and regulates the discharge of pollutants to protect water quality. Proposals for modifications to the permit include changes for endothall (Cascade and Teton) and fluridone. The effective use of endothall enables less use of the more toxic acrolein. The draft permit includes other proposed changes.

     The department of ecology issues a general permit in place of a series of individual permits for similar permitted activities. Individual activities that receive coverage under the general permit must comply with the terms and conditions of the permit.

     Requesting Copies of the Permit: You can request copies of the proposed permit and fact sheet by contacting Laurie Morgan at the department of ecology at the address below. The proposed permit modification and fact sheet are also available on-line at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/pesticides/irrigation/irrigation_index.html.

     Entities Covered by Permit: The renewed permit would continue to cover entities that are covered by the current permit. The following entities are covered under the current permit:

     1. Cascade Irrigation District.

     2. Columbia Irrigation District.

     3. East Columbia Basin Irrigation District.

     4. Ellensburg Water Company.

     5. Icicle & Peshastin Irrigation District.

     6. Kennewick Irrigation District.

     7. Kittitas Reclamation District.

     8. Naches-Selah Irrigation District.

     9. Quincy-Columbia Basin Irrigation District.

     10. Roza Irrigation District.

     11. Selah-Moxee Irrigation District.

     12. South Columbia Basin Irrigation District.

     13. Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District.

     14. Union Gap Irrigation District.

     15. Wenatchee Reclamation District.

     16. Westside Irrigating Company.

     17. Yakima-Tieton Irrigation District.

     New or currently nonpermitted entities may obtain coverage under the permit by submitting a complete permit application to the department of ecology.

     Submitting Written and Oral Comments: The department of ecology will accept written and oral comments on the draft permit and draft fact sheet. Please submit written comments to Laurie Morgan, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600, phone (360) 407-6483, fax (360) 407-6426, e-mail Laurie.Morgan@ecy.wa.gov.

     The department of ecology must receive written, e-mailed, and faxed comments no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, March 30, 2012. The public can make oral comments by testifying at the public hearing.

     Public Workshop/Hearing: The workshop begins at 6:00 p.m. The hearing will begin when the workshop ends. The purpose of the workshop is to explain the general permit, describe the proposed modification, and answer questions. The purpose of the hearing is to provide an opportunity for people to give formal comments on the proposed modification of the permit. The public workshop and hearing on the draft permit will be held at the Department of Ecology, Central Regional Office, 15 West Yakima Avenue, Suite 200, Yakima, WA 98902-3452, on March 27, 2012, at 6:00 p.m.

     Issuing the Final Permit: The department of ecology will decide if it will issue the modified and renewed permit after it considers all public comments. This would occur soon after the end of the public comment period. The permit would be effective thirty days later. The department of ecology will issue a response to comments on the proposed modifications and permit renewal.

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