WSR 14-15-150

[Filed July 23, 2014, 10:30 a.m.]

Purpose of the Municipal Stormwater General Permits: Federal and state water quality laws require a permit for the discharge of stormwater (see Federal Water Pollution Control Act Title 22 United States Code, Section 1251 et seq., state Water Pollution Control Act, chapter 90.48 RCW and Washington waste discharge general permit regulation, WAC 173-226-130). The permits address these legal requirements and control the discharge of pollutants to protect surface water and ground water quality in Washington state. The permits require municipalities and secondary permittees to develop and implement a stormwater management program to control stormwater runoff into and from their storm sewer system.

Proposed Modifications: The department of ecology (ecology) is issuing two modified general permits for public review and comment on August 6, 2014. These permits include the Phase I and western Washington Phase II municipal stormwater general permits issued on August 1, 2012. Ecology is modifying the permits to address permit appeal decisions and incorporate errata.

Supporting Documents: In response to the permit appeal ruling, modifications to the stormwater management manual for western Washington are available for review and public comment. The western Washington hydrologic model (WWHM), and several guidance documents that support the permits and manual are also available for public comment. The supporting documents listed below are posted at www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/municipal/permitMod2014.html.

Applying for a Permit: Facilities covered under the existing municipal stormwater general permits will continue to be covered under the modified permits. Areas covered by the Phase I and Phase II stormwater permit are shown at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/municipal/maps.html.

Requesting Copies of the Proposed Permit Modifications: Beginning August 6, 2014, you may request copies of the proposed permits and statement of basis or download copies from the web site www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/municipal/permitMod2014.html.

Submitting Written and Oral Comments: Ecology will accept written and oral comments on the permits, Statement of Basis, and supporting documents until 12 midnight, October 6, 2014. Ecology prefers comments to be submitted by e-mail to SWPermitComments@ecy.wa.gov. Comments should reference the specific permit(s) or manual(s) and specific text when possible.

Submit Written, Hard Copy Comments to: Municipal Permit Comments, Washington State Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600.

Written comments must be postmarked or e-mailed no later than 12 midnight, October 6, 2014.

Public Hearings and Workshops: Workshops and public hearings on the modifications are scheduled to be held in Edmonds and Vancouver, Washington. A workshop only (with webinar) will be held in Lacey, Washington. At each workshop ecology will explain the permit and manual modifications and answer questions. A hearing will immediately follow the Edmonds and Vancouver workshops. The hearings will provide the opportunity for people to give formal oral testimony and comments on the proposed modified permits.

Public Workshops and Hearings: On September 24, 2014, at 1:00 p.m - 3:00 p.m., at the Water Resource Education Center, 4600 S.E. Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA; and on October 1, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., at the Edmonds Conference Center, 201 Fourth Avenue North, Edmonds, WA.

Workshop Only*: On September 26, 2014, at 10 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., at the Department of Ecology, 300 Desmond Drive, Lacey, WA.

*Ecology is planning on hosting a webinar of the workshop; details will be posted to the web site www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/municipal/permitMod2014.html.

Issuing the Final Modified Permits: After ecology receives and considers all public comments, it will issue the modified permits and a response to comments. Ecology expects to issue the modified permits in December 2014. The permits will be effective thirty days later. Ecology will send a copy of the notice of issuance and ecology's responses to the comments to all persons who submitted written comment or gave oral testimony at the public hearings.